A group of people took part in an anti-illegal immigration protest, police confirmed the demonstration resulted in four people being arrested.
One member estimated there were at least 150 of them, although police gave the figure as 60.
People assembled fully at 1pm at Union Street away from the town’s train station where police vans and cars were waiting.
Officers with riot gear, many drafted in from outside the county, gathered at the station.
Protesters blocked off the route for at least an hour, standing or sitting in the middle of the road, they remained there with police setting up a rolling roadblock around the group.
A police spokesman said: “Kent Police officers attended the scene to ensure people were able to take part in a peaceful protest and to make sure the impact on the community and local businesses was kept to a minimum.
“Two people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences and two people were arrested on suspicion of obstructing the highway. All four remain in custody.”
Natalie Elphicke, the Dover & Deal MP launched a stinging attack on the protesters, tweeting: “We don’t want them here.”
In a series of Tweets, she said: “It’s time to stop the small boats crossings but today’s protestors are not welcome in Dover. We don’t want them here. There’s no excuse for their disruption to trade and to our town.
“Time and again we see that the protestors’ day out causes direct damage to someone else’s livelihood, tourism, business and trade. That’s not right or fair.
“Kent Police have had a challenging year – from the French closing the border to leaving the EU to coronavirus lockdowns and PCSO Julia James’ tragic death. They deserved a proper bank holiday break this weekend – not being sworn at by loud-mouthed protestors.”
Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
[sibwp_form id=4]
