First arrest made after anti-migrant disorder in Portsmouth
Police have made their first arrest following violent anti-migrant disorder in Portsmouth on Sunday evening, during which police, coastguard and Border Force vehicles were damaged. The incident followed a similar protest at the Port of Dover a day earlier.
Hampshire police have made their first arrest connected to violent disorder that broke out in Portsmouth during an anti-migrant protest on Sunday evening, with disruption continuing into the early hours of Monday.
Police said several of their vehicles were damaged during the unrest, along with vehicles belonging to the coastguard and Border Force. A small number of officers were treated at the scene for injuries, though no one involved was seriously hurt.
Police response
A police representative, Rowlinson, said violence and criminal damage have no place in peaceful protest and that such incidents would be thoroughly investigated, with robust action taken against those responsible. He stressed that Sunday evening's events were not a peaceful protest but violent public disorder, which would not be tolerated as the force works to keep communities in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight safe.
Rowlinson also said the force would not tolerate online abuse directed at police or partner agencies, noting that this follows earlier incidents in which RNLI volunteers were targeted on social media. Police said they would work with colleagues across policing to address any online threats.
He added that the arrest sends a clear warning to anyone intending to cause disruption or disorder at future events, saying lawbreakers would face action and, where feasible, prosecution.
The disorder in Portsmouth followed a separate anti-migrant protest held at the Port of Dover the day before.
