A council leader has criticized Kent Police's response to a large-scale protest that significantly disrupted the Port of Dover, stating the force was "slow to react" to an "exceptionally well organised" event. Kevin Mills, head of Dover District Council, told the BBC that demonstrators effectively "caught several agencies on the hoof" when they arrived on Saturday morning.

Hundreds of masked individuals, chanting "stop the boats," blocked access roads to the port, causing miles of traffic congestion and preventing vehicles from entering or leaving for several hours. The disruption lasted from approximately 07:00 BST to 11:30.

Mills expressed disappointment with the police's apparent delay in clearing the roads, noting that the protesters "knew what they were doing," while suggesting the police "did not know what was going to happen." He acknowledged that police resources are "stretched" but emphasized the need for a review of the incident, describing it as a "pretty traumatic day for a lot of people travelling."

While Kent Police initially described the protest as "spontaneous" and reported no arrests, the council leader's comments suggest a lack of preparedness. The council later received complaints from residents in Preston, where protesters reportedly parked their vehicles before converging on the port. Conservative group leader Chris Vinson indicated that the men had used rental vans to travel to the town.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, speaking to the BBC, defended the police's actions, stating that officers "did deal with it swiftly." He condemned the protest's "intimidatory behaviour," contrasting it with essential British traditions of peaceful demonstration, and expressed sympathy for those disrupted.

Anti-hate organization Hope Not Hate has claimed that the Patriot Platform network organized the demonstration, alleging that the group had been meeting since July and brought together members of various anti-migrant factions. Demonstrators themselves declined to speak to the media, with some offering brief slogans like "send them back" and "stop the boats."

Far-right figures Tommy Robinson and Danny Thomas publicly supported the protest on social media. Thomas praised the participants for their discipline and adherence to a plan, claiming local people were thankful for their actions. Reynolds, however, criticized such figures, asserting they exploit online followings for financial gain rather than addressing genuine national problems.

Questions remain about the extent of intelligence gathering prior to the event and the specific protocols followed by law enforcement in managing such disruptions. The full impact on port operations and the individuals affected continues to be assessed.