Police have launched an investigation after officers were injured and emergency service vehicles damaged during protests at Eastney Marina in Portsmouth following the arrival of a small boat.
Around 200 people gathered in the area on Sunday evening after migrants were brought ashore following a Channel crossing.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said officers had been deployed alongside Border Force, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Portsmouth City Council to protect the public and prevent disorder.
Several vehicles belonging to police, HM Coastguard and Border Force were damaged during the evening.
A small number of police officers were treated at the scene for injuries, although police said nobody from the emergency services or the public was seriously injured.
Police have launched an investigation aimed at identifying anyone responsible for assaults on officers, criminal damage to vehicles or other offences.
Those brought ashore were subsequently transported outside Hampshire for processing as part of the normal process.
Portsmouth City Council leader Councillor Steve Pitt has now strongly criticised the decision to use Eastney as the landing point and called for further government action over small-boat crossings.
Cllr Pitt said: "The Government needs to take more action to prevent small boat crossings. Clearly people are not happy with the situation and we respect everyone's right to protest but it should be done peacefully and within the law.
"We are pleased the coaches were eventually able to leave Portsmouth early this morning to take people outside of Hampshire for processing in the normal way.
"The council wasn't asked about the decision to land the lifeboats in Portsmouth. This was entirely a decision taken by UK Border Force, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Home Office. It was a completely unsuitable location to bring the boats ashore, this entire situation was avoidable and has brought needless disruption to our city.
"I would like to thank the emergency services for their professionalism under very challenging circumstances. However, the Home Office has some serious questions to answer about their lack of planning, inconsistent decision-making and ultimately, poor judgement. They put people at risk. This cannot happen again."
Police have stressed that violence and criminal damage have no place in peaceful protest.
Officers are continuing enquiries to identify those suspected of committing offences during the demonstration.
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Home Office condemns Portsmouth protest after migrants brought ashore at Eastney - Updated: 10:28 07.09.2026
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