UK Police Hunt Suspects After Portsmouth Anti-Migrant Riot

Jones told MPs: "Let me therefore make clear to the House and to the country that disorder of any kind will never be tolerated and those who cross the line from peaceful protest into illegality will face the full force of the law." She said peaceful protest must be defended, but so must "the right of other citizens to go about their lives without undue interference."

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp condemned the violence but said it should be "a wake-up call for the government," adding: "It is millions and millions of people up and down this country who feel angry as well."

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the country is on the edge of "serious civil disturbance" and urged protesters to stay peaceful. In a video posted to social media he said: "Peaceful protest: good. Uniforms and masks: bad. Voting is the only way we get a solution."

Spencer Wragg, chair of the Hampshire Police Federation, said: "I've seen footage of officers being pushed off their motorbikes, I've seen pictures of police vehicles damaged. It appears that the police last night became the target for some of the protest."

Portsmouth City Council said the Home Office has "serious questions to answer" over the decision to land the migrants locally. Council leader Steve Pitt said it caused "needless disruption." Conservative MP Dame Caroline Dinenage, who represents nearby Gosport, said the Home Office failed to give local officials details of the protest: "As a result we weren't in a position to calm fear and tension." Labour MP for Portsmouth North Amanda Martin called the emergence of the new crossing route "deeply worrying for my city."