Our quiet town is heart of new migrant crisis with mega dinghies & massive detention centre – we don’t feel safe anymore

29 comments 29 Next A HISTORIC naval town is now being used as a new landing site for mega dinghies full of migrants and a massive new immigration detention centre. Locals have said they “don’t feel safe” following balaclava-clad protestors flooding the area on Sunday night, and have accused the government of “sitting on their hands”. 8 On October 4 an RNLI lifeboat arrived at Gosport carrying migrants Credit: Getty 8 Anti-migrant protesters attempt to blockade Gosport Marina in Hampshire Credit: LNP Advertisement In Gosport, Hampshire, an increasing number of asylum seekers are using the quiet town as a landing spot when crossing the English Channel . Almost 150 migrants arrived at Gosport on Sunday (October 4), with a dozen protesters arrested following scuffles with cops as RNLI boats brought the migrants to shore. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. It marks a change from the typical Calais to Dover route , with French officials telling The Sun that groups are now setting off from Normandy and actively looking at different areas to land on the UK coast. The rise in migrant arrivals in Gosport has led to plans for both an immigration removal centre and an immigration processing centre. read more in news STAR'S SHAME Coronation Street star Eric Potts admits making indecent images of children KEMI'S PLEDGE We must win back trust, says Kemi as she vows to make party fashionable again 8 Locals claim that the town is the intended landing destination for the newly monitored migrant vessels Credit: Getty 8 This has sparked anti-migrant protests in the area – with Sunday night seeing around 300 protesters across all ages contained by a riot police cordon on Haslar Road, near to the harbour. They have been dubbed “the black balaclava brigade” by locals after they left a “mess” in the streets, including nails , broken glass and barricades to stop migrant coaches. Advertisement Diane Croombs, 70, has lived in Gosport since she was five and says she feels things are getting “out of control” in the small town. She said: “It used to be lovely around here, but now I don’t feel safe. Most read in The Sun 'PROLIFIC LAG' Early release prisoner goes on crime spree just hours into freedom DESPERATE SEARCH Missing tourists swept away on diving trip are found alive 24 hours later JULIA HARTLEY-BREWER How long will Govt keep turning a blind eye to small boat insanity? URGENT APPEAL Body found in water off seaside town as cops share pics to identify swimmer 8 Coaches carrying people thought to be migrants were driven into the Border Security Command compound in Dover, Kent Credit: PA 8 Protestors were arrested Credit: PA “I think the protests are good but they get out of hand – both the police and protesters. Advertisement “There were roadblocks and a portaloo – they pushed it over for a barricade. “There were faeces and chemicals leaking out onto the street – but where were they when it came to clean up the next day? “It’s getting beyond a joke and we’re all fed up with it here. 8 Susan Edwards, 72, said what happened on Sunday night is ‘disgusting’ Credit: Solent 8 Advertisement “The black balaclava brigade might come to smash my windows and I don’t want that. “The protesters are all drinking out of beer cans when they come down here. You don’t get trollied to peacefully protest. “The government has got to do something about it because otherwise there will be a massive, massive riot around here.” Ray and Bernice Hursell are a couple, both in their 80s, living in the same neighbourhood and are disappointed after they moved to the area to have a peaceful life by the sea. Ray said: “On Sunday night all the roads were blocked and police weren’t letting anyone through. If you had any visitors they would need to somehow prove they knew you.” Advertisement Bernice said: “There was broken glass in the street afterwards and they tipped over a portable loo. It’s just a mess. “We haven’t got the room for any of it here, the migrants or the protests. “I don’t know where the protesters come from but I don’t think they’re all locals.” The Haslar Immigration Removal Centre , a new 600-person immigration centre, is being built in the area, which Bernice said has made the value of their house go down. She said: “Of course the value of our house has gone down too. We know a couple of people who have been trying to sell but they just can’t. Advertisement “Who would want to move here without knowing what’s going on? It’s not what anybody wants.” It is understood that authorities had been preparing for the arrival on the south-coast after the migrants’ boat were shadowed by the French coastguard. The newest arrivals were taken from the boats and formed a long queue before they could be processed. They were then taken into a large building and two white coaches were seen next to the building, believed to be their transport . Another local, Susan Edwards who is 72, said: “It’s disgusting what happened on Sunday night, to be honest. I’m not happy with it at all. Advertisement “All of the police had been down there. What if there had been a robbery on the high street? They couldn’t have done anything. “The police were requiring us to show documents to walk on the streets where we live – our own streets. “But at the very same time they’re bringing in undocumented migrants. “I’ve lived in Gosport all my life. It used to be a lovely place but it is at the centre of this.” A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: “We are continuing to carry out patrols and speak to residents in the area to understand their concerns and to explain the policing response undertaken to balance the needs of the wider community while enabling peaceful protest.” Advertisement Talking about Sunday’s protest, Gosport Borough Council Leader Cllr Zoe Huggins said: “The decision to bring migrants ashore in Gosport rests solely with the Government and their decision to use vacant MOD land, with no consideration to our warnings. “Gosport Borough Council and our MP have made it crystal clear to the Home Office that Gosport is not the right place to dock small boats. “Gosport’s position as a peninsula means limited access in and out, the two recent operations required a huge emergency service and partner response and cost by already stretched services, so far these concerns are being completely ignored. “Gosport residents are understandably worried and angry; many were trapped in their houses for hours on Sunday. “The vast majority of protestors conducted themselves peacefully, but residents should not be put in that position and they deserve a clear explanation from the Government about why this operation took place here, despite the concerns that have repeatedly been raised. Advertisement “The council should also not be expected to cover the cost of clean-up and local resourcing, we call for the Home Office to reimburse these costs. “We also note that there has been a significant impact to local businesses. RECOMMENDED STORIES “The Government must do more to prevent small boat crossings organised by criminal gangs, and to urgently identify a safe and suitable site for disembarkations or Border Forces to resource boats for interception to take the illegal migrants straight to Dover. “The Home Office’s silence is deafening , I have made Gosport’s position clear, the Government should respond and act.” 29 comments 29