Hundreds of people have been taking to the streets in acoastal town centre in clashing protests over immigration - some showing support and others in opposition.
There have been slogans shared such as 'Stop the boats' and 'Save our children' by demonstrators bearing Union Flag designs in Dover, Kent.
The border town has become a focus for concerns about migrants coming to Britain, being the first destination of many asylum seekers arriving across the Channel.
The number of Channel migrants in small boats has surpassed 9,500 this year so far - a third up from the previous all-time high.
Official figures showed a contrast with the 6,691 in the same period in the record-breaking year of 2022 - while 5,916 reached the UK in the same time frame last year.
Some 184 people were intercepted in the English Channelin three boats last Monday, bringing the total this month to 2,918 passengers in 52 boats.
One demonstration staged today in Dover was promoted on Facebook with the title: 'Stop the boats now! 10,000+ bikers and friends illegal migrant protest ride to Dover.'
Counter-protests were also organised by campaign groups including one called Stand Up To Racism.
Anti-immigration protesters have been demonstrating in the centre of Dover in Kent
Police patrols were stepped up for today's demonstrations and counter-protests also held
Border Force officials are seen here escorted 150 migrants into Dover on April 12
Slogans called out by anti-immigration demonstrators today included 'Get them out', 'We want our country back' and 'Send them home', KentOnline reported.
One of the anti-migrant protests was spearheaded by an organisation named Kent Motor Heads Events.
A post shared online raising awareness about today's demo said: 'Enough is enough. Nothing is and never will be done to stop the mass invasion of our tiny island.
'As bikers we are known to do what we say we are going to do and will line the roads and the whole area of Dover in a mass protest to show how p***ed off everyone is with this now.
'It's not racist. It's not right-wing. So please don't try and make out it is.'
The group also insisted the demo would be a 'peaceful protest' and that 'there won't be any trouble or anti-social behaviour'.
The counter-protest's posters vowed that supporters would 'stand up for migrants and refugees' and 'oppose the Stop The Boats mass protest ride to Dover'.
Hundreds of people on both sides swarmed across Dover town centre today, with police officers also massed in patrol in response.
Today's anti-immigration protests include calls of 'Save our children' and 'Stop the boats'
Organisers of the demo insisted on Facebook the event was neither 'racist' nor 'right-wing'
The anti-migrant protests was led by an organisation named Kent Motor Heads Events
Rival groups were seen facing each other in the main shopping districts, at sites including Market Square and outside a central car park.
Paul King, chairman of Reform UK's local Dover and Deal branch, told GB News: 'There's a point with illegal migration in the country where we say enough's enough, and we are way beyond that - this is what today is about.'
Among those participating in the counter-protest was National Education Union memberNaomi Wimborne-Idrissi, who told KentOnline: 'We need to build solidarity in our communities - they’re fleeing here for safety or for a better life.
'My grandparents came here for a better life and to flee anti-Jewish pogroms in Russia, Germany and Ukraine.'
Dover's Labour MPMike Tapp said: 'I hope those that have travelled to the area take the opportunity to visit our fantastic cliffs, castle and seafront.
'It's important that they make use of the many small businesses for refreshments and don’t cause any disruption for local people.'
This month has seen the highest number of arrivals in the single day so far this year, with 705 migrants arriving from 12 dinghies on April 15.
It has also been revealed that government officials are appealing to landlords to host asylum seekers, with private contractors working on their behalf, offering five-year guaranteed rent deals.
A protester is seen at today's 'Stop the Boats' rally in Dover in Kent
People have been arriving in the town on the Kent coast throughout today for the demos
Union Flags were seen being held aloft across Dover town centre during today's activities
Protesters expressed their opinions about immigration in the Dover demonstrations
An event promoted on Facebook urged bikers to come together in Dover for
Private contractor Serco - one of three working for the Home Office - are offering five-year guaranteed rent deals to landlords, with the taxpayer footing the bill.
Their website states the company is responsible for housing more than 30,000 asylum seekers, with an 'ever growing portfolio' of over 7,000 homes.
The firm organised an event at a four-star hotel in the Malvern Hills next month, as part of their drive to house more asylum seekers, according to The Telegraph.
Serco is said to be 'looking for' landlords, investors and agents, with properties in the North West, the Midlands and the east of England to lease for more than five years.
The deal also reportedly includes promises of rent paid 'on time every month with no arrears', free property management, full repair and maintenance, as well as utilities council tax bills paid by Serco.
Promotional material claims to prospective clients that the offer is 'an attractive and competitive proposition within the industry'.
It is understood that it has been the Government's statutory duty to accommodate destitute asylum seekers since 2005.
In response to the latest migrant arrival figures, a Home Office spokesman said last week: 'We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.
Hundreds of people have been gathering today in Dover for pro- and anti-immigration events
'Leave our kids alone' was among the slogans being toted by anti-immigration demonstrators
A record number of migrants have crossed the English channel in the first four months of 2025
'The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay and we will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.
'That's why this government is investing in border security, increasing returns to their highest levels for more than half a decade, and imposing a major crackdown on illegal working to end the false promise of jobs used by gangs to sell spaces on boats.
'We have already secured agreement from the French to deploy a new elite unit of officers at the coast, launch a specialist intelligence unit, increase police numbers and introduce new powers for the French authorities to intervene in shallow waters.
'We are introducing tougher enforcement powers with new legislation and intensifying our collaboration with France and other countries who face the same challenges by exploring fresh and innovative measures to dismantle the business models of the criminal smuggling gangs.'
