Anti-migrant protesters gathered in a seaside town as migrants arrived in a dinghy after crossing the English Channel from France on Sunday.
French media reported there were around 120 migrants on board the vessel, which appeared to have set off from near the Utah Beach area of Normandy on Sunday morning. This marks the third such crossing from the area in the space of a month.
Around 350 anti-migrant demonstrators gathered near Haslar Marina in Gosport following reports that authorities were preparing for the arrival of the vessel.
Hampshire Police has said twelve people were arrested during the demonstration. Offences included assaulting a police officer, criminal damage and racially-aggravated public order offences.
The dinghy was shadowed by French rescue vessels until it entered English waters, where it was met by RNLI boats, according to ship tracking data. The Home Office confirmed the migrants would be processed in Kent after their arrival in Gosport.
Footage capturing scenes near Gosport’s Haslar Marina shows crowds gathered around police vans chanting “shame on you” and “deport the lot”.
The demonstration follows heightened scrutiny over migrant arrivals to the UK, where similar anti-immigration protests have flared up across coastal towns including Dover and Portsmouth.
A government spokesperson said: “The Border Security Command works around the clock to protect our border. We have established contingency plans to make sure we can securely disembark, check and process all small boat arrivals.
“Migrants will be transported to short term holding facilities in Kent where they will be processed as normal and undergo stringent health, security and biometric checks.”
On Sunday, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said it had deployed officers to Gosport to “support our partners in the event of an emergency at sea”.
Earlier on Sunday, the Reform leader of Hampshire council George Madgwick, said on X:“I hate to report that Gosport is the planned landing point for today’s migrant boat.
“This is an absolute shambles,” he said, “But there is hope. Last time they planned to dock there they changed course. Let’s hope they do the same today.
“If you’re heading there stay peaceful and calm.”
Similar scenes unfolded in Gosport last month when protesters gathered expecting a landing after coaches and ambulances were spotted nearby.
On that occasion, the passengers – 51 migrants who refused help from the French coastguard, arrived in Dover after being transferred to Border Security Command boats.
A government spokesperson said: “The Border Security Command works around the clock to monitor the Channel and protect our border. It is vital we continue to detain, check and process every small boat arrival.”
The provisional total for Channel crossings this year is 19,451.
This is down 43 per cent on this time last year and 23 per cent below the figure at this stage in 2024.
Authorities have since placed a dispersal order under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to cover the town of Gosport.
This order is in place until 7am on Tuesday, 6 October. Those who refuse to comply with the order are committing a criminal offence and are liable for arrest.
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