The British government has strongly criticized the intimidating and thuggish actions of anti-immigrant demonstrators who gathered at a port in southern England where migrants were brought ashore after crossing the English Channel.

In Portsmouth, hundreds of protesters, many masked and dressed in dark attire, clashed with police late Sunday, attempting to obstruct lifeboats from landing the migrants and later blocking buses transporting them to an asylum seeker processing facility.

While acknowledging the right to peaceful protest as a cornerstone of democracy, the government emphasized the importance of maintaining order during demonstrations.

The protest in Portsmouth followed a similar incident in Dover, where masked anti-immigration protesters disrupted traffic at the ferry port, with both gatherings seemingly organized by Daniel Thomas, an associate of far-right figure Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson.

Concerns over the escalating danger for migrants crossing the English Channel have been raised by aid groups, as the U.K. government faces challenges in curbing the influx of over 40,000 individuals who made the perilous journey last year.

Efforts to address the issue have been championed by politicians like Nigel Farage of the Reform UK party, utilizing it as a focal point for anti-immigration activism.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s administration credited enhanced law enforcement collaboration with France for reducing this year’s crossings by more than 40% compared to 2025.

The boat carrying approximately 140 migrants to Portsmouth departed from Normandy, significantly west of the usual departure points near Calais, making it a longer and riskier voyage.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency in Britain confirmed the involvement of lifeboats, a coast guard helicopter, and a plane in safely bringing the migrants ashore.