STORY
The Government has condemned what it called “thuggish and intimidating behaviour” after police officers were injured and emergency vehicles damaged during an anti-immigration protest in Portsmouth. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered near Eastney after approximately 140 people travelling in a small boat were brought ashore in the city on Sunday.
Protesters blocked roads and attempted to prevent coaches carrying the arrivals from leaving for the Home Office processing centre at Manston in Kent. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said objects were thrown at officers and vehicles belonging to the police, Coastguard and Border Force were damaged. A small number of officers received treatment at the scene, but police said no-one was seriously injured.
Around 200 remaining demonstrators were dispersed at approximately 4am on Monday. No arrests had been made when the force issued its latest statement, although an investigation is seeking to identify people suspected of assaulting officers, causing criminal damage or committing other offences. The Government defended the right to peaceful protest but said the conduct in Portsmouth had crossed that boundary, while Reform UK representatives criticised violence against the police and repeated their opposition to the Government’s approach to Channel crossings.