Six arrested after Gosport immigration protest ‘turned hostile’ as police launch assertion
Police have arrested six people after anti-migrant protesters “became hostile towards officers” in Gosport, Hampshire, after hundreds gathered in the naval town following a Channel crossing
A migrant boat preparing to sail to the English Channel(Image: Getty)
Police have apprehended six people after anti-migrant demonstrators “became hostile towards officers” in Hampshire, following a large gathering of protesters in the naval town.
Dozens of migrants who declined assistance from the French coastguard and spent over 30 hours at sea are being transported “to Dover by water”, according to an MP.
The French coastguard reported that around 60 migrants on a small boat endured more than 33 hours at sea “in precarious conditions” and refused help as they were “determined to take all risks to reach the United Kingdom”.
Demonstrators were confronted by riot police in Gosport, Hampshire, after a dinghy was intercepted by two RNLI vessels following some 33 hours at sea.
The arrests occurred after immigration officials abandoned efforts to bring Channel migrants into Gosport due to the arrival of hundreds of protesters.
Six people were arrested in Gosport after anti-migrant protesters “became hostile” towards police(Image: Getty)
The boat had departed from a beach near the village of Vierville-sur-Mer, west of Bayeux, in Normandy, and declined assistance, as it was “determined to take all risks to reach the United Kingdom”, stated the French coastguard.
Immigration chiefs faced renewed outrage after planning to bring migrants into Gosport, Hants, following disorderly scenes in Portsmouth earlier this month. They eventually altered their plan, deciding to transport the migrants to Dover, Kent.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: “Following news that the vessel would be docking elsewhere in the country, police were met with a group of people who remained in Gosport, some of whom became hostile towards officers.
“As a precaution, we deployed officers to Gosport and Portsmouth this afternoon to support our partners in the event of any emergency at sea, to facilitate any peaceful protest and ensure the safety of the public.
“Police and partner agencies, including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Border Security Command, worked closely in response to reports of a small boat crossing the English Channel on Tuesday 22 September.
“Members of the public who were closely following the activity of the vessel turned out in Gosport and Portsmouth to protest.
“To help facilitate peaceful protest, ensure the safety of the local community and support partners in the event of any emergency at sea, we deployed officers to Gosport and Portsmouth.
“As a result, six people were arrested for offences including careless driving, assaulting an emergency worker and aggravated trespass.
“They remain in custody at this time and our enquiries into these incidents continue.
“We are also aware of a video circulating online relating to damage being caused to a boat in the English Channel on the afternoon of 22 September, and we are conducting inquiries into the matter.”
