UK Police Chief Demands Action on Migrant Landings, Cites £800,000 Cost

Donna Jones, the police and crime commissioner for Hampshire, has called on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to prevent further small boat landings in Portsmouth and Gosport, citing an £800,000 cost incurred by the police to manage protests and maintain order.

Jones stated that repeated demonstrations against the arrival of Channel migrants have significantly strained police resources. She has formally requested the Home Office to reimburse the full cost of these operations and to ensure such landings do not become a regular occurrence. An initial letter sent after the first incident on September 6, which saw hundreds of protesters block roads in Portsmouth to prevent the movement of 140 migrants, has not yet received a response.

Further incidents occurred just over two weeks later, when masked protesters gathered at Gosport marina following reports of migrant arrivals. Tensions escalated again on October 4, when 149 migrants were brought ashore in Gosport via two RNLI lifeboats after a journey from Normandy.

Jones is seeking details on discussions between the Home Secretary and French officials regarding potential additional French resources to curb crossings along the route from Normandy to Hampshire. She emphasized the 'huge impact' these landings are having on policing.

"At all three events, officers were abused, assaulted and filmed, live streamed on social media alongside assumptions about their motivations, when each and every one of those officers were deployed with an absolute commitment to upholding the law and keeping the peace," Jones said. "The cost of the policing operation so far since the first small boat arrival in Hampshire is now over £800,000."

She added, "I have made a formal request to the Home Office for a full reimbursement and a commitment to reimburse all future deployments relating to small boat crossings, including protest activity."

Jones also called for her inclusion in future meetings between the Home Secretary and ministers to better fulfill her responsibilities to residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Amidst the unrest, Jones claimed protests have become increasingly violent. The incident on October 4 resulted in 12 arrests, including four for assaulting a police officer and one for assaulting an emergency worker. Protesters reportedly created human blockades and improvised barricades, obstructing emergency vehicles and coaches. The police marine unit was deployed to prevent small marine vessels from reaching the pontoon, and reports indicated bins were set on fire, with some residents expressing fear to leave their homes.

Several individuals have been sentenced for their involvement in the unrest. Del Somerville, 42, received a two-year prison sentence for violent disorder, while Deano Ryan, 22, and Justin Dixon, 50, received suspended sentences for the same charge. Shannon Dodds, 32, and Sally Pearson, 31, also received suspended sentences after admitting to assaults on police officers.

Further complicating the situation, children of RNLI lifeboat volunteers have reportedly faced bullying due to their parents' involvement in rescuing migrants. Claims raised at a Portsmouth City Council debate stated that children of two crew members were targeted at school. RNLI volunteers have reported public confrontations, with some having their details published online and suspicious vehicles observed near the station. Volunteers have been branded 'traitors,' and one lifeboat station in Portsmouth was temporarily closed due to threats.

RNLI volunteers have been advised to refrain from wearing their badges in public to avoid confrontations. Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, who proposed a motion to recognize the RNLI with the Freedom of the City honor, expressed deep concern over the abuse and intimidation directed at the charity. Councillor Billy Ansell added that disagreements over immigration policy do not justify hostility towards lifeboat crews.