Hundreds of masked anti-migrant protesters brought Dover to a standstill after blocking roads around Britain’s busiest ferry port during a “stop the boats” demonstration.
The activists, many dressed entirely in black and wearing balaclavas, descended on the Kent town on Saturday morning and caused hours of disruption.
A group of masked anti-migrant activists have been condemned by politicians after they blockaded Britain’s busiest ferry port in a ‘stop the boats’ protest
On Saturday, hundreds of protesters – dressed in black and wearing balaclavas – descended on Dover in Kent, brought the port to a standstill after catching police off guard
Roads in Dover were gridlocked for hours in the morning because of the protests, with four-mile tailbacks forming
Robert Jenrick called the disruption ‘completely disgraceful’
Four-mile traffic queues formed as access routes to the port became gridlocked.
Hundreds of holidaymakers reportedly missed their scheduled ferry crossings as traffic ground to a halt.
Protesters were seen marching through Dover chanting “Stop the boats” and “Whose streets? Our streets” while police officers followed the crowds.
Footage from the demonstration showed groups linking arms across the A20 and preventing vehicles from continuing towards the port.
Despite the disruption, there were no reports of violence and police made no arrests.
The protesters are believed to have links to Patriot Platform, an anti-migrant group founded by Danny Thomas, who is associated with activist Tommy Robinson.
Robinson promoted the protest online and encouraged supporters to travel to Dover.
Initial claims suggested the blockade could continue for several days.
However, protesters began dispersing around midday, with police officers escorting some participants towards a railway station.
By later in the day, the Port of Dover said routes into and out of the town had reopened and operations had returned to normal.
The disruption nevertheless triggered widespread political criticism.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he opposed protesters wearing balaclavas.
Robert Jenrick, Reform’s Treasury spokesman, described the disruption as “completely disgraceful”.
Labour MP for Dover and Deal Mike Tapp also condemned the demonstration, saying he was frustrated by people travelling to the town specifically to create disruption.
Local Conservative councillor Chris Vinson said the coordinated action had effectively paralysed Dover.
He said people were left trapped in cars or unable to get to work and described the sight of masked men blocking vehicles as intimidating.
Vinson also criticised the fact that police appeared to have been caught by surprise.
He said authorities had not been able to warn residents and travellers in advance because officers had apparently not known the scale of the protest beforehand.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes around the port.
Tour guide Rafael Pittman said he had been left waiting for around three hours while trying to collect a group.
A ferry passenger arriving from the Netherlands said motorists were unable to leave the terminal after disembarking because roads outside had been blocked.
P&O Ferries reassured customers that anyone who missed a sailing because of the disruption would be placed on the next available crossing.
DFDS issued similar guidance.
Although the blockade ended peacefully, there were concerns that further surprise demonstrations could take place and potentially prove harder for police to manage.
The incident highlighted the growing intensity of public anger around the issue of small-boat crossings.
However, the scale of the disruption also drew criticism from those who argued that blocking roads and preventing ordinary travellers from reaching the port undermined the protesters’ message.
For several hours on Saturday morning, one of Britain’s most important transport gateways was effectively paralysed.
And although the crowds eventually dispersed without serious disorder, the images of masked protesters blocking Dover’s roads are likely to intensify debate over both immigration and the policing of disruptive demonstrations.