Police used batons and pepper spray to disperse hundreds of masked demonstrators in Portsmouth on Sunday, the policing minister confirmed, as officers reported injuries during efforts to repel organized “aggression.”
Following police containment of a second disruptive protest targeting asylum seekers arriving via small boats, officers in Hampshire reported being pushed from motorcycles and struck with bricks. Home Office minister Sarah Jones condemned the groups involved, labeling their actions as promoting “racism and thuggery.”
Clashes occurred between activists in balaclavas and police in Portsmouth on Sunday evening after a dinghy landed from Normandy. Hampshire and Isle of Wight constabulary are investigating potential assaults and criminal damage.
Daniel Thomas, a far-right activist linked to Tommy Robinson, claimed responsibility for organizing the protest. He also orchestrated disruptions in Dover on Saturday, where crowds in black clothing and balaclavas blocked the port for several hours.
In a parliamentary statement, Jones said Hampshire and Isle of Wight constabulary, supported by neighboring forces, deployed dispersal notices to ensure public safety, necessitating the use of batons and Pava spray amid aggression.
Spencer Wragg, chair of the Hampshire police federation, noted a rookie officer injured had completed training just three days prior. He described the Portsmouth scenes as un-Protest-like, asserting demonstrators sought “disorder” and vented frustrations.
Approximately 120 asylum seekers were rescued from a “mega-dinghy” that departed Normandy and spent 10 hours at sea, landing farther west than typical routes. Authorities express concern smugglers may expand operations along France’s southern coast.
Approximately 200 protesters clashed with riot police Sunday night, chanting “send them back” as officers in shields maintained order. Officials acknowledged police were unprepared for Dover’s Saturday disturbances, prompting reviews to enhance intelligence-sharing across law enforcement.
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Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs pressured the government to explain intelligence failures enabling far-right groups to disrupt both Dover and Portsmouth. Conservative MP Mike Tapp urged strengthened intelligence to aid future responses.
Jones confirmed cross-group online activity and pledged lessons from the unrest. In a public exchange, Thomas—known as Danny Tommo—linked his “Patriot Platform” group to delivering Reform UK votes, criticizing Farage’s condemnation of demonstrators’ balaclava use.
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Plans to ban balaclavas at future demonstrations are under consideration, with police prepared to apply under the Crime and Policing Act. Separately, 625 individuals arrived via eight boats on Sunday, per Home Office data.
Nick Lowles of Hope Not Hate condemned authorities’ delayed response, emphasizing the need to publicly challenge far-right groups’ politics and tactics.
Donna Jones, police and crime commissioner for Hampshire, warned southern coastal regions lack capacity for migrant arrivals, citing potential strain if smuggling routes shift westward.
Kent police defended its handling of Dover, describing the protest as “spontaneous” per national protocols, stating actions developed rapidly.
