On Saturday, August 9, 2025, towns and cities across England became the stage for a series of heated anti-immigration protests and counter-demonstrations, reflecting the nation’s deepening divisions over asylum policy and migration. From the streets of Nuneaton in Warwickshire to the seaside hotels of Bournemouth, crowds gathered to voice their anger, fears, and hopes—often separated by police lines, but united in their determination to be heard.
In Nuneaton, hundreds assembled outside the Town Hall in the early afternoon, waving England flags and homemade signs as they chanted anti-government slogans. According to BBC Coventry & Warwickshire, the demonstration began at 1:00 p.m. BST and wound its way through the town center, drawing a sizeable police presence. Officers engaged with protesters and, at one point, intervened when a small group of counter-protesters appeared to be surrounded by the larger crowd. By 3:30 p.m., the event had largely dispersed, with police reporting that, despite some tension, the protest remained mostly peaceful. Only a single arrest was made: a 17-year-old boy, taken into custody on suspicion of making threats to cause criminal damage during the protest.
The spark for the Nuneaton protest was the recent charging of two men—Ahmad Mulakhil and Mohammad Kabir—in connection with the rape of a 12-year-old girl on July 22. Mulakhil faces two rape charges, while Kabir is accused of kidnap, strangulation, and aiding and abetting the rape of a girl under 13. The incident, covered by the BBC, sent shockwaves through the community. Warwickshire County Council leader George Finch, representing the Reform UK-led council, accused both Warwickshire Police and the Home Office of a cover-up regarding the immigration status of the accused. This accusation, though unverified by the BBC, was enough to ignite public outrage and prompt the demonstration. Finch’s claims were echoed by Reform UK’s national leader, Nigel Farage, who called for police forces across the country to disclose the immigration status of charged suspects—a demand that quickly became a rallying cry for protesters.
Warwickshire Police, for their part, maintained that they were following national guidance, which does not include sharing the ethnicity or immigration status of individuals once they have been charged with a crime. "Thank you to all who worked with us to exercise their democratic right to protest in a way that was peaceful and lawful today," a police spokesperson stated, underscoring the delicate balance law enforcement must strike between public order and civil liberties.
Nuneaton’s protest was not an isolated event. According to Stand Up To Racism, similar demonstrations erupted in Bristol, Bournemouth, Liverpool, Leicester, and Birmingham on the same day, pointing to a coordinated wave of anti-immigration activism sweeping the country. In London, the Metropolitan Police reported making at least 200 arrests at a separate demonstration in support of the proscribed group Palestine Action, further highlighting the weekend’s charged atmosphere.
In Bournemouth, the tension was palpable outside a hotel housing asylum seekers. Police blocked off Meyrick Road, splitting the crowds into two camps—anti-immigration protesters and their counter-protesters—separated by lines of officers. Some demonstrators attempted to break through the police barricade, but were quickly pushed back, as reported by the Bournemouth Echo. The anti-immigration contingent, led by the Bournemouth Patriots group, chanted "stop the boats," a phrase that has become synonymous with opposition to Channel crossings by asylum seekers.
Craig Jones, one of the protesters, voiced a sentiment that has gained traction in some quarters: "I am protesting against the illegal undocumented men that are housed in loads of cities across the country. We don’t know who they are, they come from countries where crime is acceptable. It’s not right." His words, reported by the Bournemouth Echo, reflect a deep-seated anxiety about security, identity, and the perceived erosion of British values. Jones continued, "Everyone's making money out of this except from the English tax paying people, it is disgusting. These people want to bring their own laws into here, they want to bring their own hate into this country."
On the other side of the police line, counter-protesters from Stand Up To Racism and other groups offered a very different perspective. Cllr Sara Armstrong urged the crowd, "Let’s build a future based on hope not hate." Jason, an anti-racism demonstrator, reminded those present of history’s lessons: "The majority of people who come here are fleeing desperate circumstances themselves, and we've been here before, demonising sectors of society, whether it be immigrants, Jewish people, Muslims or trans people. It is a tactic that is used to divide people. I fear that, 100 years on from fascists marching on the streets of England, we are kind of heading that way again, cloaked in a sort of patriotism. But under the patriotism is fear, fear of where the country is going."
Stand Up To Racism’s Cecilia added, "Refugees should be able to stay in hotels without being harassed and intimidated. There is crime in all groups of people, but when you start grouping people together that is prejudice." These statements, captured by the Bournemouth Echo, offer a counter-narrative to the anti-immigration rhetoric, emphasizing empathy, historical awareness, and the dangers of scapegoating.
Neil Duncan-Jordan, MP for Poole, though unable to attend in person, sent a message that was read aloud to the crowd: "This country has a proud record of fighting fascism. There are not our values and you do not speak for us. There’s only one race – the human race." His words, echoing through the tense atmosphere, served as a reminder of Britain’s historical legacy and the ongoing struggle to define its future.
The events of August 9, 2025, reveal a nation grappling with difficult questions about justice, security, and identity. The protests and counter-protests, while largely peaceful thanks to vigilant policing, exposed the raw nerves that have come to define the immigration debate in Britain. For some, the presence of asylum seekers and the government’s handling of high-profile criminal cases are evidence of a system in crisis. For others, the answer lies in solidarity, compassion, and a refusal to let fear dictate policy.
As the crowds dispersed and police lifted the barricades, the issues at the heart of Saturday’s demonstrations remained unresolved. But one thing was clear: the conversation about immigration, justice, and what it means to be British is far from over, and the voices on both sides are determined to shape the outcome.