Hundreds of protesters clash with police in Portsmouth over arrival of 140 illegal migrants

Hundreds of protesters clashed with police in the English city of Portsmouth following the arrival of 140 illegal migrants. British law enforcement intercepted a boat carrying 140 illegal migrants in the English Channel. After the vessel was stopped, its passengers were redirected to Portsmouth. Protesters blocked the only access road to the pier where the migrants are reportedly being held. Police used shields and pepper spray but failed to push back the protesters due to their numerical advantage. In 2025, over 41,000 illegal migrants arrived in the UK by boat across the English Channel, the second-highest number after the record year of 2022.