A crowd gathered outside a Marriott Hotel in Portsmouth after false reports claimed that migrants had arrived by bus. The group was actually Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team, which is touring England. Around 40 protesters gathered outside the hotel before the misunderstanding was clarified. A local councillor and police spoke to the crowd and confirmed that the hotel was hosting the Pakistani cricket team. The protesters then dispersed peacefully and no offences were identified. The incident was linked to social-media rumours and heightened tensions over recent migrant arrivals in Portsmouth. The England and Wales Cricket Board contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board to check on the players’ wellbeing and is reviewing security arrangements for the remainder of the tour. The episode has highlighted how misinformation can quickly trigger public alarm amid sensitive debates over migration.
