A group of people gathered outside a hotel in Portsmouth after falsely believing that migrants had arrived at the building, only to discover that the guests were members of Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team.
Around 30 to 40 people assembled outside the Marriott Hotel in Cosham on Tuesday evening after rumours spread online that a bus had brought migrants to the hotel.
Hampshire Constabulary said officers were called to the area shortly before 18:30 BST following reports of a gathering. Police said those involved had raised concerns about a coach seen near the hotel.
Officers spoke with the group and explained that their concerns were based on incorrect information. Police said no offences were identified and the crowd had dispersed by shortly before 21:00.
Reform county councillor George Madgwick said he had initially gone to the hotel after hearing about the claims. He said hotel staff showed him evidence confirming that the guests were members of the touring Pakistan under-19 national cricket team.
Madgwick later said the rumours appeared to have started after someone posted a photograph online showing people who looked like foreign nationals getting off a coach.
He acknowledged that the claims were based on speculation rather than verified information and described the incident as a serious mistake.
Madgwick also rejected suggestions that the incident itself was motivated by racism, saying one person’s assumption appeared to have been repeated by others.
He said the episode reflected badly on Portsmouth and was not something he wanted the city to become known for.
The incident came just two days after hundreds of people took part in an anti-migrant demonstration in Portsmouth following the arrival of a boat carrying about 120 migrants.
Amanda Martin, the Labour MP for Portsmouth North, described the latest incident as deeply concerning. She said misinformation had resulted in young Pakistani cricketers being wrongly identified as asylum seekers and had also placed pressure on hotel workers.
Martin said there was a legitimate public discussion to be had about immigration, but argued that such discussions should be based on verified information rather than rumours.
The Pakistan under-19 team is currently in England as part of its cricket tour. The England and Wales Cricket Board has checked on the players’ welfare following the incident and is reviewing security arrangements for the remainder of their visit.
The Marriott Hotel Portsmouth has not commented on the gathering.
The episode highlights how quickly unverified claims circulating online can trigger real-world reactions, particularly in communities where tensions over migration remain high.