ROCKS, BRICKS AND CHAOS — PORTSMOUTH PROTEST ERUPTS INTO VIOLENCE AS POLICE COME UNDER ATTACK

What began as an anti-migrant demonstration in Portsmouth descended into chaos after police officers were reportedly pelted with rocks and bricks and several vehicles were damaged.

Around 200 protesters gathered at Eastney ferry port on Sunday evening following the arrival of migrants who had crossed the English Channel from Normandy.

Some demonstrators were wearing face coverings as they attempted to block access to the marina and prevent coaches from transporting the new arrivals away for processing.

The situation quickly escalated.

According to police and eyewitness accounts, officers were pushed off motorcycles while rocks and bricks were thrown at members of law enforcement. Several police, Coastguard and Border Force vehicles were also damaged. A number of officers were treated at the scene for injuries, although none were reported to be serious.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said no arrests had been made at the time but confirmed that an investigation was underway into alleged assaults, criminal damage and other offences.

Police eventually used public-order tactics, including batons and PAVA spray, to regain control of the area and disperse the crowd. The protesters finally left at around 4 a.m. Monday.

The demonstration was triggered by the arrival of a large inflatable boat carrying migrants from the French coast.

The vessel had reportedly travelled roughly 70 miles across the Channel from Normandy — an unusually long route compared with the more familiar crossings from northern France. Around 120 to 140 people were brought ashore and later transported outside Hampshire for processing.

The violence has sparked a fresh political backlash.

Policing Minister Sarah Jones condemned what she described as intimidating and thuggish behavior, warning that those who crossed the line from peaceful protest into criminal activity would face the full force of the law.

Portsmouth City Council also questioned the government’s decision to bring the migrants ashore in the city, saying the move had caused significant disruption.

Meanwhile, politicians have warned that the unrest could be a sign of growing tensions over Britain’s immigration system.

The Portsmouth disorder came just one day after another large anti-migrant demonstration in Dover, where hundreds of masked protesters reportedly blocked roads around the port.

Now investigators are working to identify those responsible for the violence in Portsmouth.

And with tensions surrounding Channel crossings continuing to rise, one question remains:

Was Sunday night’s chaos an isolated eruption — or a warning of even bigger confrontations to come?