Twelve Arrested in Protest Over Migrant Boat Arrival in UK Town
Demonstrators gathered at a marina in Gosport, Hampshire, leading to scuffles and police intervention.
Twelve individuals were arrested on suspicion of offenses including assaulting a police officer and affray during a protest concerning the arrival of migrants in Gosport, Hampshire. The demonstration, which drew about 150 anti-migrant demonstrators on Sunday, saw flares set off and scuffles with police at a local marina.
The arrests followed the rescue of 149 migrants in a mid-Channel operation involving the RNLI and a French vessel. The migrants were subsequently transported to a processing center in Kent. This marks the second known instance of a significant number of migrant landings occurring this far west along the south coast in recent years.
Police imposed conditions under the Public Order Act and prohibited the wearing of face coverings. A police cordon was established on Haslar Road. Some protesters obstructed police vans by standing in front of them and chanting slogans. While a small number of officers received treatment at the scene for minor injuries, no attendees sustained serious harm.
Authorities stated that officers were deployed to assist partner agencies, including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, RNLI, and Border Security Command.