Twelve people have been arrested following a protest over migrant arrivals at a south coast marina, with charges including assault on a police officer and affray. The incident occurred on Sunday at Gosport in Hampshire, where approximately 150 anti-migrant demonstrators gathered as rescue operations brought migrants ashore.
During the stand-off at the marina, flares were ignited and several scuffles broke out between protesters and police. A police cordon was established on Haslar Road, though the overall atmosphere remained largely peaceful for much of the event. Some demonstrators blocked police vans by standing in their path while chanting slogans including "shame on you" and "deport the lot".
The twelve arrested individuals—eleven men and one woman—face suspicion of offences including assault on police officers, affray, and racially aggravated public order breaches. All remained in custody following the protest. According to Yahoo News UK, six people were initially reported arrested during the protest on suspicion of careless driving, assaulting an emergency worker, and aggravated trespass, though the final arrest figure reached twelve.
A small number of officers sustained injuries at the scene, though police confirmed no attendees suffered serious harm.
The migrant rescue operation
The Home Office confirmed that 149 migrants had been recovered during a mid-Channel rescue operation conducted jointly by the RNLI and a French vessel. Following their rescue, the migrants were transported by coach to a processing centre in Kent.
This marked the second significant landing of migrants this far west along the south coast in recent years. According to , Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage stated there was "nothing to suggest" the boat would land in Hampshire, though police had been preparing contingencies in case circumstances changed.
Police response and restrictions
Hampshire Police deployed officers to "support our partners in the event of an emergency at sea", working alongside the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, RNLI, and Border Security Command. The force implemented conditions under the Public Order Act and exercised powers prohibiting the wearing of face coverings at the protest site.
According to Yahoo News UK, police directed protest activity to a designated area in Walpole car park under a Public Order Act order, which was scheduled to remain in force until 4pm on Monday, 5 October. A dispersal order for Gosport was due to remain active until 7am on Tuesday, 6 October.
Context from previous incidents
This protest follows a similar incident on 22 September, when 51 migrants were taken to Dover after their boat was intercepted. That earlier event also prompted protests in Gosport, resulting in six arrests.
Key facts
- Twelve people arrested on suspicion of assault on police, affray, and racially aggravated public order offences
- 149 migrants rescued in joint RNLI and French vessel operation and transported to Kent processing centre
- Approximately 150 anti-migrant demonstrators gathered at Gosport marina on Sunday
- Police imposed Public Order Act conditions and face-covering restrictions
- Second major migrant landing this far west on south coast in recent years
