Police have arrested six people after anti-migrant protesters "became hostile towards officers" in Gosport, Hampshire. The arrests followed a large gathering in the naval town after a migrant boat was intercepted following more than 33 hours at sea.
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.
Protest turns hostile
The arrests occurred after immigration officials abandoned efforts to bring Channel migrants into Gosport due to the arrival of hundreds of protesters. Demonstrators were confronted by riot police after a dinghy was intercepted by two RNLI vessels.
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."
Channel crossing details
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".
The boat had departed from a beach near the village of Vierville-sur-Mer, west of Bayeux, in Normandy, and declined assistance.
Police response
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.
"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," the spokesperson added. "As a result, six people were arrested for offences including careless driving, assaulting an emergency worker and aggravated trespass."
Immigration chiefs faced renewed outrage after planning to bring migrants into Gosport following disorderly scenes in Portsmouth earlier this month. They eventually altered their plan, deciding to transport the migrants to Dover, Kent.
"They remain in custody at this time and our enquiries into these incidents continue," the spokesperson said. "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."
