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Police Investigate Threats After RNLI Rescued 120 Migrants

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 4:33 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

RNLI Threatened After Rescue

RNLI volunteers were threatened and assaulted by anti-migration protesters after rescuing 120 migrants.
The Charity Commission condemned the intimidation and affirmed RNLI must rescue people in peril.
RNLI paused Portsmouth lifeboat services after the September 6 abuse of its crew.
Police are investigating radio threats made to RNLI crews during the rescue.
Social-media footage showed protesters calling RNLI volunteers “traitors” after the rescue.

Summary

Portsmouth Council Grants Freedom

Portsmouth city council passed a motion granting the RNLI Freedom of the City despite Reform UK’s amendment attempt.
RNLI volunteers reported their children were bullied at school because of parents’ rescue work.
An email read at council debate warned volunteers that names were posted online and spotters were at the station.
RNLI instructed volunteers to consider not wearing RNLI-branded clothing in some circumstances as part of new security procedures.

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RNLI Threatened After Rescue

RNLI volunteers were threatened and assaulted by anti-migration protesters after rescuing 120 migrants.
The Charity Commission condemned the intimidation and affirmed RNLI must rescue people in peril.
RNLI paused Portsmouth lifeboat services after the September 6 abuse of its crew.
Police are investigating radio threats made to RNLI crews during the rescue.
Social-media footage showed protesters calling RNLI volunteers “traitors” after the rescue.

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