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๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia /Conflict & Security

Masked group blocks roads to Britain's busiest port in Dover

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Named sources Ongoing story
  • Masked demonstrators blocked roads leading to the Port of Dover, halting traffic and creating a queue of vehicles more than six kilometers long.
  • Authorities said the protest appeared to oppose immigration, while police negotiated with the demonstrators and reported no known violence.
  • The disruption renewed political tensions over people crossing the English Channel in small boats, an issue cited by politicians on both sides.

A group of masked people in black blocked the roads leading to Dover, Britain's busiest ferry port, bringing all traffic to a halt. Video shared on social media showed dozens of people standing in a line near the port and shouting, "Stop the boats!"

The Port of Dover said traffic had been suspended, while police said they were negotiating with the demonstrators. National Highways reported that the protest had blocked approaches to the port and caused a vehicle queue longer than six kilometers.

Stop the boats!

· ProtestersDemonstrators were shown shouting the slogan during the road blockade.

Kris Vinson, a Dover councillor from the opposition Conservative Party, said the protest appeared linked to illegal immigration. "I am not aware of any violence, although it is certainly extremely intimidating when people in black paramilitary clothing and balaclavas block your road," he said.

Dover has previously seen protests over migrants crossing the English Channel from France in small boats. The crossings are dangerous because of sea currents and heavy traffic from large vessels. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described asylum seekers' arrival as an "invasion" on Friday.

I am not aware of any violence, although it is certainly extremely intimidating when people in black paramilitary clothing and balaclavas block your road.

· Kris VinsonThe Conservative Dover councillor described the appearance and impact of the protesters.

The Labour government says increased cooperation with France has helped reduce this year's crossings by more than 40% compared with 2025. Labour lawmaker Mike Tapp, who represents Dover in Parliament, criticized what he called "idiots" who came to cause disruption. "I bet if you asked any of those 'protesters', they wouldn't know that arrivals are down 40% and that we are working hard to fix the mess," he wrote on Facebook. He told them to go home, enjoy the weekend or find a job.

Dover lies 110 kilometers southeast of London. More than nine million passengers and two million freight vehicles passed through the port in 2025.

I bet if you asked any of those 'protesters', they wouldn't know that arrivals are down 40% and that we are working hard to fix the mess.

· Mike TappThe Labour lawmaker representing Dover criticized the protest and cited the government's reported reduction in crossings.
About this summary

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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