A large group of masked “stop the boats” demonstrators gathered at the Port of Dover to block access to the site.
The government has condemned the behaviour of masked protesters “and the travel disruption it has caused”.
Videos circulating online show many people, dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, gathered at the port.
The Port of Dover said the disruption affected “all routes” in and out, as well as around the town, but confirmed operations returned to normal at 12.30pm.
A government spokesperson said: "The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy, but we condemn the behaviour in Dover and the travel disruption it has caused.
"We appreciate the frustration of those who have been impacted today. Access to the port is now restored and traffic is flowing. Those travelling to the Port are advised to allow for extra travel time and to follow guidance from providers.
In a statement on X, Kent Police said: “We are aware of a protest currently taking place at the Port of Dover. Officers are in attendance and engaging with protesters.”
Read MoreMasked protesters block access to Port of Dover
Key Points
- Operations at port have returned to normal
- Watch: Balaclava-clad protesters block road at Port of Dover in Kent
- Disruption affecting all routes in and out, port says
- 'Go home', MP tells protesters
- 'Intimidating' protest appears to be 'co-ordinated'
'Anger over immigration cannot justify intimidation'
21:08 , Holly BancroftConcern about firm but fair control over entry to this country is legitimate, and the government must do more to stop the boats, but there is no excuse for masked men taking to the streets of Dover, The Independent’s editorial on the demonstration in Kent says.
Read the full piece here:
Anger over immigration cannot justify intimidation
‘Intimidating’ masked protesters block access to Dover port in ‘stop the boats’ protest – sparking traffic chaos
19:14 , Holly BancroftThere has been major disruption at the Port of Dover due to a large group of “intimidating” black-clad and masked demonstrators blocking roads and access to the port.
Hundreds of protesters, dressed in black and wearing face coverings, blocked roads and were heard chanting "stop the boats".
Traffic was stopped from going in and out of the port, with the government saying it condemned "the behaviour in Dover and the travel disruption it has caused".
Read the story in full here:
Masked protesters block access to Port of Dover
Tommy Robinson associate shares Dover footage saying: 'This is our warning'
18:14 , Holly BancroftAn associate of right-wing activist Tommy Robinson has shared footage of today’s demonstrations which saw hundreds of masked protesters cause traffic chaos in Dover, saying: “This is our warning”.
Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, shared footage from the anti-illegal migrant protest on Instagram.
The protests saw hundreds of demonstrators dressed all in black and with balaclavas block road access to the Kent port on Saturday morning.
A group was seen marching through the town and chanting “Whose streets? Our streets” and “Stop the boats” as dozens of police officers followed.
Campaign group Hope Not Hate linked the action to the Patriot Platform, which Tommo recently launched.
Sharing a video of protesters marching on Instagram, Tommo wrote: “It’s time! Protect our country! And more importantly our women and children! This is our warning!”
Another video shared by Tommo showed the words “blood is on your hands” spray-painted on the ground outside Western Jet Foil, a short-term holding facility for migrants arriving into the UK on small boats.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, weighed in on the protests himself on social media, suggesting they were part of a co-ordinated plan.
He wrote on X: “Simultaneously at different locations across Dover patriots have mobilised to close down the port.”
'I was kind of anxious and wanted to get out of there as soon as possible'
16:30 , Dan HaygarthA passenger at Dover Priory railway station, who wished to remain anonymous, described seeing the demonstrators at the station as “scary” and “an out-of-body experience”.
Two women who travelled to Dover from London for a weekend break also described encountering the protesters when they arrived at Dover Priory at around 12.15pm.
“We just saw a lot of these men wearing ski masks,” one of them told the Press Association.
“I was hoping that this was not the stop that we were getting off at, but then I realised we had to get off.
“I was kind of anxious and wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.”
“We had no idea what it was about, but my instinct was to avoid them,” the other woman said.
Holidaymakers and locals left scared by masked demonstration
16:00 , Dan HaygarthSteve and Maureen Lightwood, who live near Leeds in West Yorkshire, had travelled to Folkestone to attend a local rock festival.
The retired couple took the bus to Dover on Saturday morning for a day trip, but found themselves stuck in traffic near the port town as protesters made their way to the railway station.
Mrs Lightwood, 78, told the Press Association: “It’s scary, I’m glad we weren’t on the floor.
“As the police were herding down the road, I could hear them shouting.”
Mr Lightwood, 77, added: “At the time it was scary because we didn’t know what it was.
“We had no idea at all until we got off the bus.
“Somebody said to us it’s a demonstration, so that’s all we learned.”
He added: “But they’ve come here from outside (Dover), and now they’re going back, but where, I don’t know.
“I’m not quite sure I’m happy with that sort of way to do it.”
Farage 'does not approve' of protest
15:25 , Dan HaygarthNigel Farage has said he does not approve of the protest by a large crowd of masked men in Dover, which disrupted travel through the busy Kent port.
In an interview with ITV’s Robert Peston, the Reform leader was told the demonstration had intimated members of the public in Dover, and he was asked whether it was the right way to protest.
Mr Farage replied: “Intimidation goes both ways, you know.
“There’s intimidation through mothers walking through a park with their kids where there are gangs of men just idling around, staying at HMOs (a house in multiple occupation) or hotels.
“I do not approve of what is happening in Dover today.
“I do not approve of masked people turning up and protesting anywhere, whatever side of the argument they’re on.”
No arrests made, Kent Police says
14:45 , Dan HaygarthIn an update on X on Saturday afternoon, Kent Police confirmed no arrests had been made during the demonstration.
The force said: “Kent Police responded to a spontaneous protest in #Dover during the morning of Saturday 5 September.
“No arrests were made. Traffic is flowing normally, and all involved had dispersed by midday.”
Jenrick describes protesters as 'disgraceful'
14:33 , Dan HaygarthReform UK’s Robert Jenrick has said it is “disgraceful” that protesters blocked traffic in and out of the Port of Dover on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters at the Reform national conference, the party’s Treasury spokesperson said: “I’m sick of people disrupting life in this country.
“I hope the police take all the actions as necessary to get the port open as quickly as possible.
“It’s completely disgraceful that businesses and individuals are having their lives held up by those people.”
Watch: Masked men block road at Port of Dover in major protest
14:00 , Dan HaygarthRail users can use other services if delayed
13:45 , Dan HaygarthRail operator Southeastern reshared a Port of Dover travel update on X, adding: “If you’re delayed into the UK and miss your booked train, you can use the next available at no extra cost.”
Operations at port have returned to normal
13:36 , Daniel Haygarth— Port of Dover Travel (@PoD_travelnews) September 5, 2026
Reform councillor says demonstration is a 'stop the boats' protest
13:30 , Dan HaygarthPaul King, the Reform UK councillor for Dover West, said he has been told the demonstration is a “stop the boats protest”.
He wrote on Facebook: “Avoid the port area, large number of men have blocked the A20. I’ve been told it’s a stop the boats protest speaking to local women, they felt frightened by such a large group of men walking up the street.
“We don’t condone causing public disturbance by protest. But it’s a very good example of what is happening daily with the boats coming in.”
Government condemns masked Port of Dover protest
13:15 , Dan HaygarthThe government has responded to the protest:
A spokesperson has said in a statement: "The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy, but we condemn the behaviour in Dover and the travel disruption it has caused.
"We appreciate the frustration of those who have been impacted today. Access to the port is now restored and traffic is flowing. Those travelling to the Port are advised to allow for extra travel time and to follow guidance from providers.
"We thank policing partners and travel providers who we continue to work with to ensure the safety of passengers and the wider community.”
Protesters shout 'stop the boats'
13:00 , Dan HaygarthVideos of the scene show dozens of protesters milling around roads and roundabouts near the major port, forcing vehicles to a halt.
Others show demonstrators linking arms in a blockade across the A20, shouting “stop the boats”. Activists could be seen marching along the A-road, chanting: “England ’til I die.”
In full: Masked protesters block access to Port of Dover
12:45 , Dan HaygarthMasked protesters block access to Port of Dover
A20 east remains closed
12:31 , Dan HaygarthUpdate 4: A20 east between A256 (York Street) & A2 (Jubilee Way) remains closed.
— National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) September 5, 2026
- The west is mostly clear for traffic, but remains blocked from Limekiln roundabout.
- 25 minutes delays on approach to Limekiln roundabout. 1 mile of congestion.
- Info: https://t.co/aT9qoF9Iee pic.twitter.com/5XoprpWbVZ
Port approach roads now free flowing
12:23 , Dan Haygarth#TrafficUpdate at the #PortOfDover.
— Port of Dover Travel (@PoD_travelnews) September 5, 2026
Port approach roads are now free flowing.
If you experienced delays or missed your booked sailing, @Irish_Ferries, @DFDSLiveUpdates and @POferriesupdate will get you on their next available sailing.
Tommy Robinson suggests protests are part of a co-ordinated plan
12:15 , Dan HaygarthIn a post on social media, the former English Defence League (EDL) co-founder Tommy Robinson suggested Saturday’s protests in Dover were part of a co-ordinated plan.
He wrote on X: “Simultaneously at different locations across Dover patriots have mobilised to close down the port.
“There are 3 plus locations that patriots have shut down so far with many more planned to be closed.”
Traffic updates
12:09 , Dan HaygarthAccess to the port had been partially restored via the M2/A2 by 10.30am, but access via the M20/A20 remained blocked, P&O Ferries said in an update on X.
It added: “Our services are operating with some delay, but we will get you onto the next available sailing when you reach check-in.”
In an update on X, the National Highways said the A20 east between A256 (York Street) & A2 (Jubilee Way) remains closed.
While the west is “mostly clear”, the road remains blocked from Limekiln roundabout, it added. Travellers can expect 25 minute-delays on approach to the roundabout, with around one mile of congestion.
Watch: Balaclava-clad protesters block road at port of Dover in Kent
11:41 , Dan HaygarthCouncillor says 'intimidating' protest appears to be 'co-ordinated'
11:39 , Dan HaygarthCouncillor Chris Vinson, leader of the Conservative group and member for Walmer on Dover District Council said: “Overnight, clearly what appears to be several hundred masked men wearing black clothing and balaclavas seem to have co-ordinated and loaded into rental vans and then descended on roads leading in and out of Dover with the intent to block them, and that’s what they’ve successfully done, and it’s brought the town to a standstill.
“There are stacks of people who are stuck in their cars or in their workplaces as a result.”
Cllr Vinson said the protest appears to be “illegal migration-related”, but said that the demonstrators do not appear to have placards or banners.
He added: “I’m not aware that there’s been any violence, although clearly, having the path of your vehicle blocked by men wearing black paramilitary gear and balaclavas is extremely intimidating, especially when it’s not clear why they’re there and the police weren’t aware, and so haven’t been able to warn people in advance and make sure that they are made to feel safe.
“I know people who have worked night shifts in the port who are being prevented from leaving for fears for their safety.
“Women who are in cars feeling intimidated, people stuck in traffic – who obviously are without toilet facilities – queues way back on the A20 and the other approach roads into Dover.”
'Go home', MP tells protesters
11:39 , Daniel HaygarthMike Tapp, the Labour MP for Dover and Deal, criticised the masked men and said he was in contact with the police.
Writing on Facebook, he said: “I am fed up with idiots coming to Dover to cause disruption. I bet if you asked any one of those ‘protesters’ they wouldn’t know small boat crossing are down by 40 per cent and we are working hard to fix the mess.
“Go home, enjoy your weekend/get a job.”
Disruption affecting all routes in and out, port says
11:38 , Dan HaygarthThe Port of Dover confirmed in a statement on X that the disruption is affecting “all routes” in and out, as well as around the town.
It said: “The Port of Dover can confirm that there is an ongoing public order incident happening around the town of Dover.
“This is affecting all routes in and out the port and the town. We are in contact with Kent Police to understand the situation.
“This situation is impacting our local community and our customers, so of course we are hoping for a swift resolution.”
