Understand
Anti-migrant protesters gather in Gosport as small boat carrying migrants approaches
Overview
Anti-migrant protesters have gathered in Gosport, Hampshire, as a small boat believed to be carrying around 120 migrants heads toward the south coast. Hampshire Police deployed officers, set up a cordon, and imposed conditions under the Public Order Act, including prohibitions on face coverings. French rescue vessels and RNLI boats have been monitoring the dinghy, which tracking data indicates set off from near Normandy.
Key points
- Protesters gathered in Gosport, Hampshire, as a small boat carrying an estimated 120 migrants approached the shore.
- The dinghy reportedly departed from near Normandy on Sunday morning and was shadowed by French rescue vessels before reaching UK waters with RNLI boats on the scene.
- Hampshire Police deployed officers, established a cordon on Haslar Road, and used Public Order Act powers including bans on face coverings.
- Some demonstrators blocked police vans and chanted slogans such as 'deport the lot'.
- This marks the third crossing so far west along the south coast in the space of a month.