Dozens of masked anti-migrant protesters shut down access to the Port of Dover in southern England on Saturday, blocking ferry and road traffic between the UK and France.
The Port of Dover said traffic entering and leaving the port had been stopped because of an ongoing public order incident. Police said they were engaging with the protesters at the scene.
The port authority added that the black-clad group was blocking all routes in and out of the terminal. Photos shared online showed dozens of people wearing balaclavas gathering on and around roads leading to the port, which provides a key crossing point between southern England and northern France.
Protest Halts Traffic at Dover
The disruption stopped movements to and from the terminal, according to the port’s statement. Local police confirmed they were dealing with the incident, without giving further details on how long it would continue.
The Port of Dover handles passenger and freight vehicles through the Channel corridor, and Saturday’s blockade prevented vehicles from reaching scheduled routes.
Reform UK Councillor Says It Was “Stop The Boats”
Paul King, a local councillor for the anti-immigration Reform UK party, said he had been told the protest was a “stop the boats protest”.
The Channel crossings have been a central issue in UK politics, with migrants and asylum seekers attempting to reach England by sea, often on overcrowded boats.
Labour Says This Summer’s Crossings Lowest Since 2019
Britain has been seeking ways to curb the perilous and politically contentious crossings. In recent years, thousands of migrants have arrived in southeast England by this route each year.
The issue has also been embraced by hard-right groups, which have gained support amid rising anti-immigration sentiment.
The centre-left Labour government has said the number of boats carrying migrants and asylum seekers across the Channel this summer is the lowest since 2019. It said this was partly linked to cooperation arrangements with the French government.
Port Role in Trade and Ferry Capacity
During summer months, the Port of Dover processes more than 10,000 freight vehicles and around 15,000 passenger vehicles a day. The port is also responsible for about a third of Britain’s goods trade with the EU.
The ferry operator P&O Ferries said its services were continuing as scheduled. In a post on X, it said: “If you miss your booked departure today, we will get you onto the next available.”
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5 September 2026
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