Anti-migrant protesters filmed themselves forming a blockade in an attempt to prevent migrants from landing on the south coast. The group, describing themselves as patriots, were seen blocking ambulances from entering Gosport docks to meet a suspected migrant dinghy carrying 120 people from France on Sunday evening.
Protesters, including children, clashed with police, with shouts of 'f*** you' and flags proclaiming 'Stop the boats'. The dinghy is being shadowed by French coastguard and rescue vessels and is moving towards the Channel boundary line, according to ship tracking data.
Protest and police response
It appeared to have set off from near the Utah Beach area of Normandy on Sunday morning. HM Coastguard said it is 'currently liaising with French authorities about a small boat within French waters of the Channel, south of the UK central south coast'. French media reported there are around 120 migrants on board.
There have been six arrests so far on Sunday evening. Hampshire Police said they had powers to arrest protesters using masks or trying to leave a car park established as the protest area.
A spokesman said: 'We are currently working with partner agencies following a report of a small boat crossing in the English Channel.
'We know how these incidents can impact local communities and are aware of a group of people gathering in Gosport.
'We have deployed officers to the area to support our partners in the event of an emergency at sea, and to facilitate peaceful protest.
'To ensure the safety of our local communities as well as those who may wish to protest, we are making use of a variety of police powers.
'Failure to comply with these conditions is a criminal offence and may result in arrest.'
Activists in Normandy and political reaction
Activists were also seen in Normandy telling migrants waiting on the beaches they are not wanted in the UK. A group of British men were seen backing away when they were pelted with sand.
Departures as far west as Normandy have been rare in recent years, but this is the third such crossing in the space of a month.
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.'
Hampshire Reform UK councillor George Madgwick shared images of coaches and police on social media, which he said were in the Fareham area of Hampshire ready for 'a small boat due to land locally'.
Recent crossings and statistics
In September, British rescue boats collected the passengers of a migrant dinghy which had spent around 30 hours at sea after setting off from Normandy. The 51 migrants, who refused help from the French coastguard, arrived in Dover after being transferred to Border Security Command boats.
The provisional total for Channel crossings this year is 19,451. This is down 43% on this time last year and 23% below the figure at this stage in 2024.
