Demonstrators held in clashes between rival groups over asylum hotel in north London

The Metropolitan police later imposed conditions on a protest and counter-protest outside a hotel housing migrants in Islington, north London, after brief clashes between pro- and anti-migrant groups. Police said they made nine arrests, including seven on suspicion of breaching Public Order Act conditions.

Police said the anti-asylum hotel protest had been “endorsed by groups from outside the local community which is likely to increase the number of people attending”.

In Manchester, police made two arrests ahead of a “march for re-migration” organised by Britain First, the far-right political party, through the city centre. The march was met by counter demonstrations but Greater Manchester police said both protests passed off without incident.

Similar protests took place in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Aberdeen, Cardiff and Liverpool.

The protests come as record numbers of migrants arrived in the UK in small boats. Last week, arrivals passed more than 25,000 for the year so far, a record for this point in the year.

Last night the Home Office said it will give further powers to police to crack down on gangs smuggling migrants into the UK.

It is proposing a new offence which will target anyone who advertises Channel crossings or fake passports on social media.

The offence would also outlaw illegal working being promoted online. The new measures could carry a jail term of up to five years.

Ministers said they will create the new offence under the border security, asylum and immigration bill to widen its scope to tackle illegal entry to the UK.

Assisting illegal immigration to the UK is already a crime, but officials believe the additional powers will give more powers to police and other agencies to disrupt criminal gangs.

According to analysis by the Home Office, around 80% of migrants arriving in the UK by small boat told officials they used social media during their journey.

The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: “These criminals have no issue with leading migrants to life-threatening situations using brazen tactics on social media. We are determined to do everything we can to stop them.”

The National Crime Agency already works with social media companies to remove posts promoting crossings, with more than 8,000 taken offline in 2024.

Photograph by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images