Hundreds of protesters wearing balaclavas have brought roads around the Port of Dover to a standstill in what is believed to be an anti-migrant demonstration, prompting warnings of travel disruption for ferry passengers and holidaymakers.
The crowd, many dressed in black and with their faces covered, assembled near the ferry terminal on Saturday morning before blocking vehicles trying to enter and leave the busy Kent port.
One visitor in the area said the number of demonstrators appeared to far exceed the police presence as large groups moved into Dover.
Kent Police said officers were responding to an ongoing “public order incident” and were in contact with those taking part in the protest.
The demonstrators are understood to include supporters of Patriot Platform, a far-right organisation protesting against migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the Channel in small boats.
P&O Ferries alerted travellers to possible delays, telling passengers that anyone who missed their booked crossing would be transferred to the next available sailing.
Footage and images circulating on social media showed dozens of people occupying roads near the port, with many dressed in dark clothing and wearing face coverings.
In one livestream from the scene, a man filming the protest told viewers that “something is happening” as crowds continued to gather in Dover.
‘We have hundreds of men, English men, and they seem to be dressed head to toe in black, with black balaclavas, black everything from head to toe,’ he said.
‘There’s going to be waves upon waves. I’m led to believe Dover is going to have a problem today.’
Balaclava-clad protesters have blocked roads leading to the Port of Dover in a suspected anti-migrant demonstration, sparking warnings of delays for holidaymakers
A large group dressed in black and with their faces obscured gathered around the ferry terminal on Saturday morning, blocking traffic in and out of the port
Kent Police said officers were dealing with an ongoing ‘public order incident’ and were ‘engaging with protesters’
There is speculation online that as many as 300 people are involved, although this has not been confirmed.
Patriot Platform was launched in June by Danny Thomas, an associate of Tommy Robinson.
Thomas has described the organisation as a ‘resistance’ movement and claimed tens of thousands of people have signed up.
He has also promoted increasingly confrontational rhetoric, calling for supporters to take ‘direct action’ and put ‘boots on the ground’.
Mike Tapp, the Labour MP for and Deal, criticised what he described as ‘idiots coming to to cause disruption’.
In a post on Facebook, he said: ‘Park run cancelled and port access disrupted.
‘I am fed up with idiots coming to Dover to cause disruption. I bet if you asked any one of those ‘protesters’ they wouldn’t know small boat crossing are down by 40% and we are working hard to fix the mess.
‘Go home, enjoy your weekend/get a job.’
Commuter Nathan Ditchburn said the group arrived at around 6.45am.
He told KentOnline: ‘I would say there are around 300 men, maybe more.
‘They have blocked off every entrance and exit of the Dover port area, and Jubilee Way is blocked as well.
The protesters are thought to be members of Patriot Platform, a far-right group demonstrating against migrants crossing the Channel in small boats
P&O Ferries warned passengers of disruption and said those who missed their scheduled crossing would be put on the next available sailing
The protesters are thought to be members of Patriot Platform, a far-right group launched in June by Danny Thomas (pictured), an associate of Tommy Robinson
‘It will be causing huge delays for the ferries today.’
The Port of Dover confirmed in a statement on X that the disruption is affecting ‘all routes’ in and out, as well as around the town.
It said: ‘The Port of Dover can confirm that there is an ongoing public order incident happening around the town of
‘This is affecting all routes in and out the port and the town. We are in contact with Kent Police to understand the situation.
‘This situation is impacting our local community and our customers, so of course we are hoping for a swift resolution.’
In a statement on X, Kent Police said: ‘We are aware of a protest currently taking place at the Port of Dover. Officers are in attendance and engaging with protesters.’
Shipping company DFDS said: ‘We are aware of the current traffic disruption affecting access to the port.
‘Rest assured we will accommodate you onto the next departure once you arrive.’
This is a breaking news story, more to follow.
