Man Charged After Migrant Protest in Gosport
A demonstration over migrant arrivals in a Hampshire town led to 12 arrests and one man being charged.
A man has been charged with failing to comply with a prohibited assembly direction following a protest in Gosport, Hampshire, concerning the arrival of migrants. Jamie Bennett, 38, of Whiteley, Fareham, was bailed to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on November 26.
The protest occurred after 149 migrants were rescued in a mid-Channel operation by the RNLI and a French vessel on Sunday and brought ashore in Gosport. Around 150 anti-migrant demonstrators were present, during which flares were set off and scuffles with police took place.
Police made 12 arrests at the scene on Haslar Road, including 11 men aged between 22 and 59, and a 57-year-old woman. Suspected offenses included assaulting police officers, affray, and racially aggravated public order offenses. The remaining 11 individuals have been bailed pending further inquiries.
A small number of officers received treatment at the scene for injuries, though none were reported to be serious. Some demonstrators reportedly blocked police vans by standing in front of them and chanting slogans.