Police forces across Britain are preparing for a wave of protests this weekend as anti-migrant demonstrators and counter-protesters faced off in Portsmouth today, with up to 30 asylum hotels expected to be targeted during the Bank Holiday.
Tensions erupted outside Portsmouth City Council offices as opposing groups clashed over the housing of asylum seekers, with police enforcing a separation between protesters waving Union flags and Stand Up To Racism activists.
One demonstrator tied a large St George’s flag to the council building’s balcony bearing the words “Born in England, Live in England, Die in England,” whilst counter-protesters responded with a “Refugees Welcome, Celebrate Diversity” banner.
The confrontation came as anti-immigration campaigners seek to capitalise on Tuesday’s landmark High Court ruling ordering the removal of migrants from the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, within weeks.
Mat Silva, 66, a retired car sprayer from Fareham who joined the anti-migrant protest, said: “I am fed up seeing those who come into our country illegally being housed better than our veterans and our OAPs.”
“They get free accommodation, gas, electricity, four meals a day, while our veterans are on the street,” he added, insisting his stance was “nothing to do with racism, it’s about people entering illegally.”
Police maintained a physical barrier between the groups as the anti-immigrant protesters chanted “Send them home” whilst Stand Up To Racism supporters responded with “Refugees are welcome here.
Rita, an elderly Portsmouth resident who joined the counter-protest, said: “I am sick and tired of being someone who defends rapists and paedophiles, what I defend is human rights.
“I feel ashamed at the protest and I say this as a white British elderly lady who has been spat upon, verbally abused and things thrown at, just for being on this side of the road,” she added.
The Portsmouth demonstration reflects growing tensions after the council discovered 55 private rental properties were being used to house asylum seekers without their knowledge, despite telling the Home Office two years ago they lacked capacity.
James Hill, Portsmouth’s director of housing, had informed the Home Office in 2023 that “the system’s capacity was such that we couldn’t support additional asylum seekers.
However, Labour MP Amanda Martin uncovered that private rentals being used for migrants had increased from 10 in late 2019 to 58 by April 2024, with the properties housing at least three asylum seekers each.
The weekend’s planned protests follow the High Court’s decision to grant Epping Forest District Council a temporary injunction against the Bell Hotel, which must stop housing asylum seekers by 12 September.
Mr Justice Eyre ruled there was sufficient evidence of a material change of use breaching planning control, citing public interest in enforcement and loss of amenity for local residents.
The ruling has prompted councils nationwide to consider similar legal challenges, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pledging support for any Conservative council pursuing litigation.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage urged supporters to “hold peaceful protests outside hotels and put pressure on councils to go to court to get illegal immigrants out.
Hotels in Cannock, Chichester and Tamworth are among those expected to be targeted by demonstrations, with Stand Up To Racism organising counter-protests in 15 locations across the three-day weekend.
Counter-demonstrations are planned tonight in Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Leicester, Leeds, Orpington, Perth, Aberdeen and Altrincham as tensions escalate across the country.
The Home Office warned that granting Epping’s application “runs the risk of acting as an impetus for further violent protests,” but the judge proceeded with the ruling.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis confirmed on Friday that the government would seek to appeal the decision, stating: “This Government will close all asylum hotels and we will clear up the mess that we inherited.”
The Bell Hotel case centred on safety concerns after resident Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, charges he denies ahead of his trial this month.
A second resident, Syrian national Mohammed Sharwarq, faces seven separate charges, whilst several men have been charged over disorder outside the hotel during protests.
Philip Coppel KC, representing Epping Forest District Council, told the court: “There has been what can be described as an increase in community tension, the catalyst of which has been the use of the Bell Hotel.”
Labour peer Lord Falconer warned the ruling “causes great problems” for the government, giving rise to expectations that demonstrations could lead to hotel closures.
It puts the courts and the politicians in a difficult position,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, urging the Home Office to appeal “very strongly.
Stand Up To Racism warned the judgment sets a “dangerous precedent” that will “embolden the far-Right to call more protests outside hotels housing refugees.”
Current figures show 32,345 asylum seekers were in hotels at the end of March 2025, down from a peak of 56,042 in September 2023, representing 31 per cent of all in government-supported accommodation.
The protests come amid reports that a group calling itself The Great British National Protest plans to demonstrate outside every migrant hotel until all asylum seekers are deported.
Essex Police reported 16 people have been charged with offences following disturbances at the Bell Hotel, with two individuals told to expect jail sentences.
The incident in Portsmouth saw some anti-migrant demonstrators shouting abuse at counter-protesters, including false accusations of supporting paedophilia, with police intervening twice to prevent physical contact.
Marie Pigney of the recently formed Portsmouth Patriots said their protest focused on “the safety of women and children,” whilst avoiding direct comment on the confrontational nature of the demonstration.
Mary, a Portsmouth counter-protester, said: “I believe in dignity, equality and giving people a fair chance. We have all come from somewhere originally.”
“I am really upset at the violent way in which these other people are intimidating people who have fled intimidation all of their lives,” she added.
As tensions mount nationwide, police forces are coordinating responses to manage expected protests whilst maintaining public order during the busy Bank Holiday weekend.
The weekend’s events mark a significant escalation in anti-migrant activism, with protesters emboldened by the Epping ruling despite government assurances they will appeal the decision.
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