RNLI heroes 'have target on backs' as protesters ID them online as 'traitors'

RNLI 'have target on their backs' as Portsmouth protesters identify them online branding heroes as 'traitors' EXCLUSIVE: Two RNLI rescuers have had their identities posted online by Portsmouth protesters who branded them 'collaborators' and 'traitors' for saving migrants stranded in the Channel Riot police clash with protestors in Portsmouth after small boat arrival Two RNLI heroes were named and pictured online by Portsmouth protestors who condemned them as 'collaborators' and 'traitors' for rescuing asylum seekers in the Channel amid a warning that it has "put a target on their backs" ‌ The two men were identified in a post by a 'Nationalist' who said their addresses were also being shared online. He wrote: "We now have names for these two traitors helping 140 Asylum seekers into our country last night. We also now have one address that I believe is circulating in telegram groups." ‌ He later added: "Let's make it clear. I don't wish any harm on these two individuals. Their names were posted on X before my post, and I am only reporting what I have seen in groups such as Telegram and other platforms, so stop crying like woke babies." ‌ View 3 Images Two RNLI heroes have been identified online by Portsmouth protesters who branded them 'traitors' (Image: Barry Williams/PA Wire) But Nick Lowles, chief executive of Hope not Hate, said: "He has literally put a target on their backs. When the far right say they are peaceful, just remember this post." He added that the RNLI crew 'work tirelessly and at great personal risk to save others.'" He warned that it had 19,000 'likes'. The post came hours after RNLI crews faced abuse from protestors in Portsmouth. It garnered more than half a million views in a matter of hours, with people posting various vile messages about the two men. ‌ Social media manager Simon Harris, 42, of Hockley, Essex, who has raised more than £337,000 for the RNLI since 2021, said that the 'doxxing' of the RNLI volunteers - where they are named and have personal details posted online - should be made a criminal offence. He told the Mirror: "My reasoning all along has been that RNLI volunteers have one duty and one duty alone - to save lives at any, no matter who it is. "As they rely entirely on charitable funding, any call for defunding puts all lives at risk. It's a complete nonsense that they should have their funding 'pulled' when they are only responsible for around 5% of all small boat rescues, and only 1-2% of their overall workload annually is for small boats. "Even if you're passionate about them not helping migrants, the 'defund' argument falls apart before it even gets going. I've never been saved by the RNLI, and the latest dog whistling leading to volunteers being doxxed is disgraceful. Doing this should be a criminal offence - they're not even paid to save lives and the government needs to get a grip on this behaviour." ‌ View 3 Images Some of the life jackets seen in the harbour in Portsmouth after the rescue (Image: Jonathan Buckmasterr) Mr Harris started fundraising when the RNLI came under fire from Reform leader Nigel Farage for their involvement in small boat rescues. The RNLI confirmed they were aware of the posts and supporting the crew members involved. There were countless messages of support for the RNLI online, and Simon said around £5,000 had been raised since Sunday for his GoFundMe site. Toby Merritt-Smith, who found himself stuck on his yacht as the marina went into lockdown in Portsmouth on Sunday, said some people had come to the area "for a fight". ‌ "Peaceful protest is OK, but this certainly wasn't that," he said. He returned from Gunwharf Quays with his wife, son, grandfather, mother, stepfather, and two brothers on board. He was notified by radio of the dinghy carrying asylum seekers behind him. "I didn't know whether we might have to have got involved in terms of rescuing people," he said. "You hear about migrants coming into the country a lot, but when it's on your doorstep, and when you're literally a stone's throw away from the incident, you never know what's going to happen next." Once the boat docked Mr Merritt-Smith was able to organise getting his son home with his mother, but as soon as they left the marina went into lockdown. He said: "That's when all the emergency services started turning up, hundreds of them, coastguard, fire service, you name it, drones up in the sky. ‌ View 3 Images The coastguard on patrol in Portsmouth "Then they were just coming by the hundreds, the protesters... we watched bottles being thrown, police officers being hit, language was absolutely awful, fences being ripped down, chains being cut off the gates into our marina." He also described police vehicles with slashed tyres and smashed windows. The family stayed on board the yacht until the police confirmed it was safe to leave. Hampshire Police said a small number of officers were injured and vehicles were damaged, with an investigation now under way to identify those responsible. Article continues below The government said people had a right to peaceful protest but condemned "intimidating and thuggish behaviour" at the demonstration. According to policing minister Sarah Jones, about 200 protesters arrived at the harbour at intending to block three coaches that were due to take the arrivals for processing. The French Coastguard said: "We warn anyone considering crossing the Channel of the risks involved. This maritime area is one of the busiest in the world, and weather conditions are often harsh,strong winds and currents, numerous sandbanks, and water temperatures that reduce life expectancy even in summer. It is therefore a particularly dangerous area, even when the sea looks calm." The RNLI defended their role in the rescue, saying: "We are a voluntary lifesaving rescue service, tasked in the UK by HM Coastguard to assist anyone who is in trouble on the water. We will rescue those in danger without judgement or preference, as the RNLI has been doing for more than 200 years."