Dover anti-migrant protest draws about 100 as police enforce face-covering ban
Anti-immigration protesters gathered in Dover on Saturday as Kent Police enforced a temporary ban on face coverings and deployed what the force described as a robust operation aimed at preventing disruption.
Before the march, police vehicles lined the streets outside Dover Priory Station, the starting point for the demonstration. Kent Police said the preparations were designed to keep disruption to a minimum after a protest last month caused significant delays at the port.
A force spokesperson said no arrests had been made on Saturday and estimated that about 100 anti-migrant protesters had attended. A counter-protest was also held at Pencester Gardens; police said fewer than 100 people took part.
The face-covering ban was in effect from 08:00 to 21:00 BST and applied to those taking part in the protest, police said. It covered parts of Dover, including Buckland, Whitfield, Guston, St Margaret's-at-Cliffe and surrounding areas. People covering their faces for religious, health or work-related reasons were not affected.
Kent Police wrote on social media: "We understand the impact of protests on the residents and businesses of Dover and will not stand for any disorder that may occur." The force added that a substantial number of highly trained officers were stationed in the town centre.
Dover has long been a focal point in Britain's debate over migration because migrants picked up from small boats in the English Channel are brought ashore there. Demonstrations are common in the port town, and tensions can quickly affect ferry traffic and local businesses.
Also on Saturday, anti-migrant protesters from South Coast Patriots and anti-racism demonstrators from Southampton Stand Up To Racism gathered in Southampton city centre, according to the original report.
In September, a group of masked men caused major disruption near the Port of Dover and were heard chanting "stop the boats." The demonstration caused significant delays to port operations and ferry passengers. Kent Police faced criticism over what was described as a slow response, and the force said at the time that it had been a spontaneous protest.
The force told the BBC that lessons had been learned from last month's demonstrations and that its response to such incidents had improved. On Saturday, authorities appeared eager to avoid a repeat of the port delays, with the face-covering restriction forming part of a broader effort to maintain order and reassure residents and businesses.
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Related coverage: Police say lessons have been learned since Dover protest; Police warned a day before Dover protest, force says; Disruption at Port of Dover due to 'stop the boats' protest; Kent Police.