Twelve arrests after protest over migrant boat arrival

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The Home Office said 149 migrants had been picked up in a mid-Channel rescue operation by the RNLI, alongside a French vessel, and were brought ashore at Gosport.

Flares were set off and there were scuffles with police during the stand-off at a marina in the Hampshire town, involving about 150 anti-migrant demonstrators on Sunday.

Eleven men and one woman were arrested on suspicion of offences including assaulting police officers, affray and racially aggravated public order. All remain in custody.

The migrants were taken by coach to a processing centre in Kent.

It is the second known landing of large numbers of migrants this far west along the south coast in recent years.

A police cordon was in place on Haslar Road in Gosport, where the atmosphere at the protest mostly remained peaceful.

Some protesters stopped police vans from advancing by standing in front of them and chanting "shame on you" and "deport the lot".

Hampshire Police said it had deployed officers to "support our partners in the event of an emergency at sea", including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, RNLI, and Border Security Command.

The force imposed conditions under the Public Order Act, as well as powers prohibiting the wearing of face coverings.

A small number of officers were treated at the scene for injuries, but no-one in attendance was seriously injured, police said.

Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dodds said: "Violence and criminal damage have no part in peaceful protest.

"Our position on this has been clear that we will investigate thoroughly and take robust action against anyone responsible.

"Last night saw a number of incidents that were clearly not peaceful protest, rather violent public disorder, and this will not be tolerated as we work to keep our wider communities in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight safe."

He said officers "did not deserve to be assaulted as they worked incredibly diligently" to ensure the "safety of everyone in the area".

"Neither do they, or anyone from our partner agencies, deserve to be singled out online or subjected to abuse via social media," he said.

"We will work with our colleagues across policing to address any online threats that are made.

"We will continue to review body-worn video footage and videos posted online to identify any further offences and may make further arrests in due course in required".

Five people were also issued with Section 35 dispersal notices.

A Home Office spokesperson refused to explain why Gosport had been chosen on this occasion, saying they do not comment on "operational processes".

"The Border Security Command works around the clock to monitor the Channel and protect our border," they said.

They said it was "vital we continue to detain, check and process every small boat arrival".

It is the third crossing in a month. So far this year 19,451 people are recorded as having crossed the Channel in small boats.

That number is 43% lower than this time last year, and 23% below the figure at this stage in 2024.

Last month, more than 100 migrants landed at Eastney, in Portsmouth, leading to more scuffles between police and demonstrators.

The 51 migrants were ultimately taken to Dover by sea.

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