Key facts
- Around 100 anti-migrant protesters gathered in Gosport, UK, as 149 migrants crossed the English Channel.
- Migrants arrived at Haslar Marina and were transported to processing facilities in Kent.
- Protesters scuffled with police and set off flares near Haslar Marina.
- A dispersal order is in place in Gosport until October 7.
- Channel crossings this year are down 43% compared to the same time last year.
Anti-migrant protesters scuffled with police in Gosport, Hampshire, on Sunday evening as a dinghy carrying 149 migrants crossed the English Channel from Normandy. The group arrived at Haslar Marina aboard two RNLI boats late on Sunday evening, after being shadowed by French rescue vessels until they entered English waters.
Footage from near Haslar Marina showed crowds gathered around police vans chanting "shame on you" and "deport the lot." While the atmosphere was described as mostly peaceful, there were reports of flares being set off and some scuffles with police. The Home Office confirmed the migrants would be transported to short-term holding facilities in Kent for processing.
Councillor George Madgwick, leader of Reform UK on Hampshire Council, had stated on X that Gosport was the planned landing point for the vessel. Similar protests occurred in Gosport last month when migrants arrived.
The provisional total for Channel crossings this year stands at 19,451, a decrease of 43% compared to the same time last year and 23% below the figure at this stage in 2024. Authorities have placed a dispersal order in Gosport until 7am on Tuesday, October 7, making it a criminal offense to refuse to comply with the order.