Hundreds of protesters chant 'stop the boats' across two UK seaside towns as police impose dispersal order

Meanwhile, in Dover, Kent, a similar demonstration launched, with police vehicles positioned around the streets near Dover Priory Station, where the march began.

It comes as tensions reach boiling point surrounding the small boat Channel crossings, with 1,655 small-boat migrants having arrived in the UK in the week between September 21 - September 27, and some 781 reaching the UK’s shores in a single day.

The fresh wave of demonstrations follow a movement which began last month, led and organised by Danny Tommo's Patriot Platform, which saw protest action in Dover, Portsmouth and Gosport over the curse of September.

The protests aim to raise awareness of the public outrage to the government's lack of response to the crisis, often directly opposing Channel arrivals as they attempt to dock.

However in Southampton today, South Coast Patriots does not appear to be affiliated with Patriot Platform, while promotional material for the Dover demonstration has been circulated under the name English Defence League.

Kent Patriots, which is listed as an affiliate of Patriot Platform, said on Instagram that its members would not be taking part.

Protestors converged in Dover to oppose small boat Channel crossings

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In Southampton, protesters set off from the port carrying English and Union flags.

Chants heard during the march included: “Stop the boats”, “England till I die”; and “Deport the f****** lot”.

The demonstration attracted attention from people in the city centre, with numerous passers-by stopping to watch and record the demonstration on their phones.

At one point, a woman sitting outside a cafe shouted “scum” at the protesters, prompting a short confrontation with one of the attendees.

Demonstrators in Dover marched through the streets chanting

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The march later halted outside Southampton Crown Court, where a woman addressing the crowd through a megaphone said: “You are supposed to protect us, not these illegal men coming into our country.”

Around 50 people from Stand Up To Racism had assembled at the Bargate as part of a counter-demonstration.

The two groups passed one another without incident, before the anti-migrant protesters continued along the High Street.

Hampshire Police preemptively introduced additional powers and restrictions in preparation for the demonstrations.

Promotional material for the Dover demonstration has been circulated under the name English Defence League

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Superintendent Alex Charge, the district commander for Southampton, said in a statement published on the force's website that officers had introduced a dispersal order covering a designated area between 7pm on Friday and 7am on Sunday.

Under the restrictions, anyone participating in the protest was also prohibited from wearing a face covering intended to conceal their identity between 11am and 5pm today.

In Dover, Kent Police said it had also made “robust” preparations intended to minimise disruption during today's demonstration.

The force said a “substantial” contingent of specially trained officers were deployed across the town centre.

Police made a presence at Dover Priory Station ahead of the protests

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A counter-protest was also expected for Pencester Gardens, where police had said they “anticipate the two groups may attempt to come together”.

A separate prohibition on face coverings is also in operation in Dover from 8am to 9pm today, and will apply to people taking part in the protest.

The restricted area includes parts of Dover and the surrounding communities, including Buckland, Whitfield, Guston and St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe.

The restrictions do not apply to people who cover their faces for religious, health or work-related reasons.