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Anti-immigrant protesters try to stop migrants landing in England
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- The British government condemned the "intimidating and thuggish behavior" of anti-immigrant protesters in Portsmouth who tried to block migrants arriving by lifeboat and buses to processing centers.
- Hundreds of masked protesters clashed with police, causing injuries to officers and damage to vehicles, prompting a police investigation and warnings of legal action against unlawful behavior.
- The protests were linked to Daniel Thomas, an ally of far-right activist Tommy Robinson, and occurred amid ongoing challenges in managing Channel crossings, with over 40,000 migrants arriving last year.
- The UK government credits enhanced law enforcement cooperation with France for a more than 40% reduction in Channel crossings so far this year compared to 2025.
- On Sunday, eight boats brought 625 migrants to the UK, including one from Normandy carrying about 120 people, involving a coordinated rescue operation by lifeboats, a helicopter, and a plane.
