Key facts
- At least 28 anti-migrant vigilante groups have formed in the UK in the last 18 months.
- Groups range from street patrols to those blocking ports and harassing migrants.
- The surge in groups has occurred since the summer of 2025.
- The British Security Project aims to provide 124,000 security personnel by 2035.
- Members of Raise the Colours filmed themselves slashing dinghies on French beaches.
- Patriot Platform members blocked roads near Dover last Saturday.
The number of anti-migrant vigilante groups in the UK has surged significantly over the past 18 months, with at least 28 new organizations forming since the summer of 2025, according to analysis by The Guardian. These groups engage in a range of activities, from unauthorized street patrols and community protection efforts to more confrontational actions like blocking ports and harassing migrants in France.
The rise in these groups, often characterized by members wearing balaclavas and protective gear, has led to concerns about public disorder, as seen in recent incidents in Portsmouth and Dover. Many of these groups claim to be stepping in where authorities are perceived as failing to act on migration issues or protect citizens. For example, Scots Active conducts patrols in Glasgow, citing the need to protect women and children from migrants, while the British Security Project recruits volunteers for "visible deterrent patrols" with a stated aim of providing extensive security personnel by 2035.
Some groups have taken direct action abroad, with members of Raise the Colours traveling to France to allegedly slash dinghies used by migrants, resulting in several members being banned from the country. Patriot Platform, another group, blocked roads near Dover, causing traffic disruptions. The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has called on police to use their full powers to curb the activities of such vigilante organizations.
Experts note that the underlying narrative often involves a claim of authorities' inability or unwillingness to protect citizens, which can justify self-policing or even violent campaigns. The amplification of fears about migrant men threatening women and children, coupled with the performative aspects of vigilante movements like uniforms and patrols, helps in recruiting new members and increasing their public profile on social media. Researchers also point out that while these groups claim to protect communities, many do not properly vet members, leading to individuals with violent criminal histories participating and engaging in intimidatory behavior under the guise of "community protection."