The French coastguard reported that around 60 migrants on a small boat endured more than 33 hours at sea ‘in precarious conditions’ while attempting to cross the English Channel
Six people have been arrested after anti demonstrators “became hostile towards officers” in Gosport, Hampshire.
Police say members of the public were ‘closely following’ the arrival of a small boat crossing the English Channel on Tuesday, September 22.
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“.
Hundreds of demonstrators were then met by riot police after a dinghy was intercepted by two RNLI vessels. As a result, six arrests have been made by Hampshire Police.
The arrests occurred after immigration officials abandoned efforts to bring Channel migrants into Gosport due to the arrival of hundreds of protesters.
A spokesperson for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary said: “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.
“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 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 enquiries into the matter.”
A number of men wearing black, several with face coverings, arrived at the front of the protesters with chants of “Send them back” from the crowd.
The black-clad protesters remained quiet as they lined up face-to-face with the police officers.
In a post on her Facebook page, Conservative MP for Gosport Dame Caroline Dinenage said: “I have just had confirmation that Border Force has intercepted the small boat that was reported as crossing the Channel earlier today and is now taking those on board to Dover by water.
“This is a good result. All day I have been making the case to the Home Office that this boat should not disembark in Gosport.
“Gosport Borough Council Leader Cllr Zoe Huggins BEM, Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones for Mayor, and I have been united and clear in our message that Gosport and Portsmouth Harbour are not suitable for small boat arrivals.
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