A large group of “intimidating” black-clad and masked demonstrators blocked roads and access to the port in Dover.
Footage showed that the group, appearing largely to be men, dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, gathered at the port in Kent on Saturday.
A group was later seen marching through the town and chanting “whose streets? our streets!” and “stop the boats” as dozens of police officers followed.
Masked men could be seen at Dover Priory station at around midday boarding a train. The government has condemned their actions.
A spokesperson said: “The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy, but we condemn the behaviour in Dover and the travel disruption it has caused.
“We appreciate the frustration of those who have been impacted today. Access to the port is now restored and traffic is flowing.
“Those travelling to the Port are advised to allow for extra travel time and to follow guidance from providers.
“We thank policing partners and travel providers who we continue to work with to ensure the safety of passengers and the wider community.”
In a statement on X at 9am on Saturday, the port said an “ongoing public order incident” was affecting all routes in and out the port and the town.
Activists could be seen marching along the A-road, chanting: “England ’til I die.”
In a post on social media, activist Tommy Robinson suggested Saturday’s protests in Dover were part of a co-ordinated plan.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, wrote on X: “Simultaneously at different locations across Dover patriots have mobilised to close down the port.”
National Highways said the protests had caused four miles of traffic congestion around the town, causing delays of up to 45 minutes.
Dover and Deal’s Labour MP Mike Tapp wrote on Facebook that he had been in contact with the police regarding the situation.
He said: “I am fed up with idiots coming to Dover to cause disruption.
“I bet if you asked any one of those ‘protesters’ they wouldn’t know small boat crossing are down by 40 per cent and we are working hard to fix the mess.
“Go home, enjoy your weekend/get a job.”
He later told the Press Association: “I’m all for our freedoms to protest, but when you’re blocking roads, firstly you’re causing disruption that’s not fair on residents, so it’s against the law.
“But also this intimidating fashion of balaclavas: You wear balaclavas if you’re cold, or if you’re looking to intimidate, or you’ve got something to hide.”
He added: “It has gone beyond. But luckily, it’s dispersed now, and we can get about our lives as normal in the constituency.”
Councillor Chris Vinson, leader of the Conservative group and member for Walmer on Dover District Council said the protest appeared to be “illegal migration-related”, but said that the demonstrators do not appear to have placards or banners.
He said: “Overnight, clearly what appears to be several hundred masked men wearing black clothing and balaclavas seem to have co-ordinated and loaded into rental vans and then descended on roads leading in and out of Dover with the intent to block them, and that’s what they’ve successfully done, and it’s brought the town to a standstill.
“There are stacks of people who are stuck in their cars or in their workplaces as a result.”
He added: “I’m not aware that there’s been any violence, although clearly, having the path of your vehicle blocked by men wearing black paramilitary gear and balaclavas is extremely intimidating, especially when it’s not clear why they’re there and the police weren’t aware, and so haven’t been able to warn people in advance and make sure that they are made to feel safe.
“I know people who have worked night shifts in the port who are being prevented from leaving for fears for their safety.
“Women who are in cars feeling intimidated, people stuck in traffic – who obviously are without toilet facilities – queues way back on the A20 and the other approach roads into Dover.”
In an update on X on Saturday afternoon, Kent Police confirmed no arrests had been made during the demonstration.
The force said: “Kent Police responded to a spontaneous protest in Dover during the morning of Saturday 5 September.
“No arrests were made. Traffic is flowing normally, and all involved had dispersed by midday.”
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