Key facts
- 51 migrants arrived in Dover after more than 33 hours at sea.
- The boat departed from the Normandy coast on Monday morning.
- French coastguard reported migrants were in precarious conditions and refused help.
- British rescue boats assisted the migrants before they were transferred to Border Security Command.
- Six protesters were arrested near Gosport for hostility towards officers.
A total of 51 migrants arrived in Dover at 00:30 BST after spending more than 33 hours at sea in a small boat that departed from the Normandy coast. The French coastguard, which shadowed the vessel, reported that the migrants were in "precarious conditions" and refused assistance, determined to reach the UK. British rescue boats were dispatched to collect those on board, who were then transferred to Border Security Command. Protesters gathered in Gosport, Hampshire, on Tuesday evening, as it was initially believed the migrants would be brought ashore there. Local police had blocked off a nearby road, and about a dozen protesters were seen, some chanting "send them back." Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary reported six arrests were made after protesters became hostile towards officers. The dinghy is thought to have made one of the longest journeys of any small boat crossing the Channel. So far this year, 17,480 migrants have arrived in the UK by boat, a figure 46% down from the same period last year.