A group of masked men blocked the entrance to Britain's busiest ferry port, Dover, on Saturday, leading to substantial traffic congestion and a police response.
The Port of Dover confirmed that all incoming and outgoing traffic was halted due to what it described as an ongoing public order incident. Social media footage showed dozens of men, their faces covered, obstructing a major road near the port.
The National Highways agency reported that the protest resulted in a 4-mile traffic jam, causing delays of up to 45 minutes. P&O Ferries stated that its services between Dover and the French port of Calais remained on schedule, with passengers missing their sailings being accommodated on the next available crossings.
Dover, located approximately 70 miles southeast of London, has previously been the scene of anti-immigrant demonstrations, often focused on individuals crossing the English Channel from France in small boats. This issue has been a subject of political discourse, with figures like Nigel Farage of Reform UK characterizing asylum seekers as an "invasion."
However, the Labour Party government asserts that enhanced law enforcement cooperation with France has led to a more than 40% reduction in small boat crossings this year compared to 2025. Mike Tapp, the Labour lawmaker representing Dover in Parliament, criticized the protesters, calling them "idiots" who were causing disruption and were likely unaware of the reported decrease in crossings. He urged them to "go home, enjoy your weekend/get a job."