"We are aware of ongoing commentary on social media"
Indian Navy sailors visiting Plymouth for a joint training exercise with the Royal Navy were mistaken for migrants by anti-immigration protesters.
The Devon and Cornwall Patriot Defence shared photos of men taking pictures of each other on Plymouth Hoe.
It said the group of what appeared to be Asian males were “raising concerns” among people who thought they “may have been migrants”.
The post said there were some “worrying reports circulating about incidents around Plymouth Hoe and the city centre”.
It also alleged there were people being followed, having photos taken and local burglaries and assaults.
However, it later transpired that the men were servicemen from the Indian naval frigate INS Trishul and had been sightseeing while on leave.
The vessel was part of a joint training exercise with the Royal Navy.
The organisation acknowledged that the claims were unverified but it called for accurate information about activity in the city.
It said: “As a community, we deserve accurate information about what’s happening in our city.
“Nobody should feel unsafe walking home, and no parent should have to worry about their child being followed or approached inappropriately.
“This isn’t about judging anyone by their nationality or background. It’s about keeping Plymouth safe and making sure genuine incidents are investigated.”
Devon and Cornwall Police addressed claims that the men had been wearing balaclavas.
The force said: “It has also been clarified that the men were not wearing balaclavas, although some of them are thought to have been wearing snoods around their necks.
“We are aware of ongoing commentary on social media and appreciate the concerns raised by members of the community.
“In this instance, having considered the evidence from witnesses and CCTV, no criminal offences have been identified at this time, but should any be reported, they will be investigated appropriately.”
The force confirmed that officers had received a report involving two teenage girls who felt “uneasy by the presence of a group of around 20 men”.
In a further statement, police said the girls had felt uneasy but there had been no interaction between the parties.
“As part of our enquiries into the matter, we spoke to the girls and their families who have confirmed that the girls felt uneasy while the men were nearby, but there was no interaction between the parties.”
The force added that it was aware of the discussion on social media and acknowledged concerns raised by members of the community.
The Indian sailors were part of Exercise KONKAN-26, an annual bilateral maritime exercise intended to strengthen co-operation between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy.
The Indian Government confirmed that the exercise was “being conducted off Plymouth, UK, in two phases from 08-15 Oct 26”.
It described the event as evidence of the longstanding relationship between the two countries, saying:
“India-UK annual bilateral maritime exercise KONKAN-26 is a testament to the enduring maritime partnership between India and the UK.”
Captain Iain Richie of HMS Naval Port Devonport welcomed the visiting vessel, describing its arrival as “a great pleasure to welcome INS Trishul”.
The social media posts prompted mockery, with users questioning why the presence of foreign naval personnel in a major military port had raised suspicions.
One wrote: “The furore on the pages of the Plymouth Patriots and others is hysterical, the usual tropes and ‘protect are wimmin’, yet seeing foreign crew members is common in a city which has been a naval base for centuries.”
Another said: “Seeing as Plymouth is a military port and HMS Devonport is the largest naval base in Western Europe, common sense should say what happened.
“But we don’t have common sense anymore.”
The incident follows other protests in southern England in which demonstrators have mistaken visitors for asylum seekers.
In September 2026, protesters gathered outside a hotel in Portsmouth where they believed asylum seekers were being accommodated. The people they had mistaken for migrants were members of Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team.
