Anti-immigration activists and counter-protesting groups have taken to the streets of Britain as anger over migrant issues reaches a fever pitch in the UK.
Protests are taking place in 14 locations nationwide this weekend in hotspots where refugees are housed.
London, Essex, Birmingham, Leeds and Norwich have all seen large demonstrations.
**ARE YOU READING THIS ON OUR APP? DOWNLOAD NOW FOR THE BEST GB NEWS EXPERIENCE**
The Metropolitan Police face particular pressure ahead of Saturday's anticipated pro-Palestine gathering in central London.
In the last month, Britain has seen a series of protests, with members of the public concerned about the safety implications of housing asylum seekers in their local communities.
Organised demonstrations usually have several hundred people at a time, but sometimes thousands.
Anti-immigration activists are also present outside the buildings, which are believed to be housing asylum seekers.
GB News are speaking with large crowds in Liverpool and Solihull.
FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…
Bournemouth locals are 'simply frustrated' with migrant hotels, Elcock tells GB News
A Bournemouth local has compared the seaside town to the Wild West" as he declared Britain's migrant crisis is "out of control".
Speaking to GB News, resident Adam Elcock detailed protests from concerned locals in the town centre today, against the use of migrant hotels in the area.
More than 26,000 small boat migrants have arrived since start of the year.
A total of 435 small boat migrants crossed the English Channel today, taking the number of arrivals this year to more than 26,000.
The Dover lifeboat arrived into Dover harbour just before 4.30pm with the final group of 56 migrants, who managed to reach UK waters this afternoon in atrocious conditions, as strong winds sweep across the Channel.
It takes the number of migrants who have made the illegal crossing since the UK-France returns deal came into operation this week to 838.
According to GB News provisional figures, the total number of arrivals for the year so far now stands at 26,274. That compares to 17,638 who arrived at the same point in 2024.
WATCH: Liverpool protesters say they are 'sick' of the state of Britain's migrant crisis
A student in Liverpool has expressed her concerns for her safety in the city as she attended one of anti-migrant demonstrations across the country.
Speaking to GB News, the student told reporter Sophie Reaper that illegal migrant housing has been placed "next to her university", making her feel "unsafe" when travelling there.
Nuneaton counter-protesters meet with anti-migrant protesters
Stand Up to Racism counter-protesters held yellow placards and banners reading “stop the far right” outside Nuneaton Town Hall.
One person in the group brought a handwritten sign questioning: “Why do fascists only care about women when they can use our stories and pain to oppress others?”
Another banner reading, “What about our girls’ human right to safety” is being held near the anti-migrant protesters waving Union flags.
The two groups are being separated by police officers and vehicles near the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council building.
March takes place through Warwickshire town
Protests take place in Nuneaton
|PA
People protesting in Nuneaton after two reported asylum seekers were charged over the alleged rape of a girl, have led a march through the Warwickshire town centre.
Some protesters carried flags while a few wore masks covering part of their faces as they walked from the Town Hall, up Queen’s Road, along Stratford Street, and down Abbey Street before heading back towards the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council building.
The protesters chanted "no more HMOs (houses of multiple occupation)", "stop the boats" and "we want our country back" as they walked.
Anti-migrant protester Mark says Britain is 'losing its identity' as he declares 'this is our community!'
Sophie Reaper speaks to both sides of protesters in Liverpool
Jack Carson speaks to a 'refugees welcome' counter-protester in Solihull
Counter-protester Salman shares his views on the use of asylum hotels and how anti-migration protestors should be fighting for women and children's safety.
He said: "I don't think it's helpful for victims of sexual violence to target asylum seekers or refugees."
"I want to be laser-focused on getting longer sentences against people who commit domestic violence against women when we see them. A lot of these perpetrators are only getting a couple of months or a couple of years.
"A lot of the people on this side actually do work with victims of domestic violence and sexual violence, and we're enraged about that. But this is not the way. This is not the way to fight for children, women, and families who are getting abused."
The protester added: "Why aren't MPs and counsellors having public meetings where we can sit down, have a coffee, have something to eat and thrash these, these, these debates out?
"Because I'm telling you, a lot of those guys have. They sat down with an asylum seeker and had a coffee with them. And I think if they did, their opinion might change.
"I don't blame them. I blame a lot of the politicians who aren't sitting down with these folks and us together in a room to have a good discussion, because I've gone across the road and chatted to them and we've had a civil conversation, and no, I haven't convinced them yet. But I'm optimistic that over a period of time, we can work together."
WATCH THE FULL CLIP ABOVE
Sophie Reaper reports on 'tensions' between anti-immigration protesters and 'anti-racism' activists in Liverpool
Sophie Reaper reports live from Liverpool amid anti-immigration protests.
She said: "You can see there is a heavy, heavy police presence here. Lots of uniformed officers, lots of tactical aid units, all here just in case.
Pointing to the anti-immigration protest, Reaper added: "On this particular side, there are lots of Union jacks, lots of England flags. Lots of people who are here say they are angry about the Migrant Hotel here in Liverpool.
"If we cross just onto the other side, you can see perhaps some of the signage. You can see one there that says humanity has no borders. Migration is not a crime. Refugees welcome here are the kind of signs that we are seeing all over the UK and have been seeing for the past few weeks, as those tensions really start to bubble over.
"There is some kind of friction between the two groups. It is kicking off a little bit between the two groups."
WATCH THE FULL CLIP ABOVE
More than 26,000 small boat migrants have crossed the channel this year following HUGE Saturday surge
More than 26,000 smallboat migrants have arrived in the UK so far this year, as hundreds more make the illegal crossing on Saturday morning.
A short improvement in weather conditions overnight has seen people smugglers launch multiple boats into the English Channel.
Since first light, Border Force vessels have responded to a number of incidents where migrant boats made it to UK waters.
So far, more than 200 Channel migrants have been brought to the Border Force processing centre at Dover harbour.
GB News estimates at least 200 more are still in the Channel heading towards the UK.
'Britons are sick to the back teeth!' Keir Starmer's 'broken' asylum system torn apart
Political commentator Theo Usherwood claims people are "sick to the back teeth" of the growing migrant crisis in Britain and the "broken" asylum system and that people "have a right to be concerned" about the ongoing migration situation.
Discussing the state of Britain's escalating protests, Usherwood told GB News: "It is problematic. People have a right to be concerned, they have a right to make their voice heard, but they have to do so peacefully, and they have to do so within the confines of the law.
"What we can't have is a situation where we have riot police having to step in with metal objects being thrown and people's lives being put in danger."
Noting that those who wish to stir up violence at peaceful protests should "stay away", Usherwood added: "I'd have thought the easiest way for those who are against these protests outside the migrant hotels would be to stay away.
"And if the protests pass off peacefully, then they're perfectly legitimate and okay."
'Time to call in the army!' Former Chief Immigration offers policing solution
Former Chief Immigration Officer Kevin Saunders believes it's "time to call in the army" to deal with the migrant protests.
He said: The police have got a very difficult job. They've got to try to keep the peace. They're going to have their hands full today.
"The important thing here that we're missing is that we pay for this. The great British public is actually forking out to pay for police officers to go out and stand in the middle of two. Two organisations that want to beat the living daylights out of each other.
"This shouldn't be allowed. Um, perhaps it's time to call the army in and get them to deal with it."
WATCH THE FULL CLIP ABOVE
Charlie Peters shuts down protestors over biased claims
Charlie Peters shuts down claims that GB News reporters were "complaining" that they couldn’t use footage from the protests in Aldershot because certain placards were against the channel.
Responding to criticism, the award-winning presenter said: "That's not true. We'll use whatever footage we get of these protests.
"She also said, now we're all over their website. Now, you might be on our screens and you might be on our site, but you didn't get your message across because you failed to speak to us. And that's what it's all about."
He added: "I'll speak to anyone. Every reporter at GB News will speak to all people, all sides, because that's what we're about."
WATCH THE FULL CLIP ABOVE
Norwich: Around 300 protestors attend anti-immigration protests outside hotel
Around 300 anti-migrant protesters gathered in Norwich
|X
Around 300 anti-migrant protesters gathered in Norwich, singing songs and waving Union Jack flags, on Friday evening.
British anthems, including Rule Britannia and Sweet Caroline, could be heard as locals demonstrated their concerns over the rights of women and girls, increasing rent prices and long waiting list times.
Around 80 counter-protesters also arrived on the scene, with police separating the opposing groups.
There were no reports of violence between either side.
GB News looks ahead as Britain braces for wave of protests
The People's Channel will be reporting live from protests across the UK today.
Sophie Reaper thanks GB News viewers for support after 'assault' by pro-migrant protesters
Sophie Reaper took to social media | INSTAGRAMSophie Reaper has thanked GB News viewers for their messages of support after being "assaulted" and hit on the head by a placard while reporting on an anti-migrant protest on Friday.
The GB News journalist was attacked with a metal pole whilst reporting live from demonstrations in Altrincham on Friday evening, where she tried to speak with pro-migrant counter-protestors.
Sophie was struck on the head by a Stand Up to Racism protester as she attempted to interview counter-demonstrators outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.
The assault occurred when Reaper crossed from the anti-migrant protest to speak with opposing demonstrators. Counter-protesters told her to "go away" and "go back to your side" before the situation escalated.
Dozens of asylum seekers on verge of deportation amid 'week-long crackdown' on illegal delivery workers
Hundreds of arrests have been made as part of a "week-long crackdown" on asylum seekers taking jobs for delivery companies.
A total of 1,780 people were stopped and spoken to across the UK over suspected illegal working activity between July 20 and 27.
According to the Home Office, 280 arrests were made in areas including Hillingdon in northwest London, Dumfries in Scotland, and Birmingham.
As a result, 89 of those arrested have now been detained pending removal from the country, while 53 are having their asylum support reviewed.
The Government said this could result in their support being suspended or withdrawn.
Concerned grandmother hits out at ‘Nazi’ label as she joins Aldershot anti-migrant protests
A grandmother called Millie has spoken out at a demonstration outside a migrant accommodation facility in Aldershot, articulating her worries about unauthorised boat arrivals via the English Channel.
She attended the gathering to voice her support for lawful immigration whilst expressing opposition to what she described as irregular crossings happening "day in, day out".
"I've come here because we're just a small island and as far as I'm concerned, I'm all for legal migration but not the ones coming across the Channel day in, day out," Millie told GB News during the demonstration.
Millie expressed particular anxiety about personal safety, revealing she feels increasingly vulnerable whilst undertaking everyday activities.
Sophie Reaper swarmed by Stand Up to Racism protesters live on GB News
Watch the moment Stand Up to Racism protesters swarm GB News North West Reporter Sophie Reaper as she tries to report from Altrincham.
The People’s Channel reporter was on the ground in the Greater Manchester market town to report from both sides of the demonstrations that have erupted over hotels being used to house asylum seekers.
After speaking to several anti-migrant hotel protesters, Sophie crossed the divide to find out what Stand Up to Racism protesters had to say.
Nigel Farage brands young male asylum seekers a 'danger to our country'
Nigel Farage says young male asylum seekers should "not be free to walk the streets" after a slew of arrests in Bournemouth.
The Reform UK leader was reacting to bombshell figures revealing that at least 312 asylum seekers have been charged with a shocking 708 alleged criminal offences in just three years, including theft, assault and rape.
He said in a video posted to X that "none of these young men coming into our country should ever be allowed to be free to walk the streets.
"They are a danger to our country and there’s a sense of shame I have with Tory and Labour Governments making our lives more dangerous."
Two arrested at Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf on Friday night
| GB NEWS
Two people were arrested at a protest outside the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf on Friday evening as demonstrations took place near hotels housing asylum seekers across the UK.
More than 100 people were protesting with Stand Up to Racism as part of the "Defend Refugees, Stop the Far Right" demonstrations
About 100 counter-protesters waving Union flags and St George’s Cross flags also gathered on the pavement opposite the hotel.
A significant Police presence helped separate the two groups of demonstrators.
The Metropolitan Police said: "One person protesting against the use of the hotel by asylum seekers has been arrested after a bottle was thrown at officers."
"A member of the counter-protest group has been arrested for failing to remove a face covering."