UK Government to Reimburse Police Up to £800,000 for Migrant Landing Costs

The UK government has agreed to pay up to £800,000 to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to cover costs associated with the arrival of migrants via small boats and the ensuing public demonstrations. The police force spent hundreds of thousands of pounds managing incidents in Portsmouth and Gosport, which saw asylum seekers landing on the south coast.

These arrivals triggered large protests from local residents and anti-migrant activists, particularly in September and October. During some of these gatherings, police officers were assaulted, leading to 18 arrests. The total cost incurred by the force in just four weeks to manage the migrant arrivals and control demonstrators reached nearly £1 million.

Donna Jones, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and Isle of Wight, described the policing expenses as 'extraordinary' and stated it was 'unfair' for the force to bear such a burden. She formally requested the government reimburse the costs, and has since confirmed the Home Office has agreed to provide compensation. While the exact final amount is subject to review, a funding package has been agreed upon to support the policing response.

The Home Office has not detailed the precise sum it will pay but acknowledged the agreement to support the 'significant policing response in Portsmouth required in recent months.' The department maintains contingency plans for further arrivals in Hampshire but has not disclosed operational specifics.

Gosport Borough Council has passed a motion requesting the town be excluded from future migrant disembarkations. Ms. Jones has also urged the Home Secretary to prevent Hampshire from becoming a regular landing point for small boats crossing the English Channel.

In a six-week period, there were three crossings from Normandy, with migrants brought ashore in Hampshire on two occasions. One incident on October 4 saw 149 migrants arrive in Gosport via two RNLI lifeboats. Several individuals have been convicted for offenses related to the unrest, including violent disorder and assaults on police officers.

In parallel with these events, the former Haslar Immigration Removal Centre in Gosport is undergoing preparations for reopening. Plans aim to expand its capacity to 600 detainees, and recruitment for staff, including seven 'detention engagement officers,' has commenced. These roles involve direct work with detained migrants, focusing on their immigration cases and welfare.