Hampshire in the spotlight amid Channel migrant debate

How Hampshire became a focus in the Channel migrant debate Image source, PA Media Image caption, Migrants were brought into Gosport on board an RNLI boat on 4 October By Emily Hudson South of England political editor Published 5 hours ago By Tiffany Rowlands Hampshire political reporter The focus on small boat crossings until now has been largely on Kent but, after vessels began heading for the Hampshire coast a few weeks ago, national attention has turned to Portsmouth and Gosport. On 6 September, 140 migrants were brought ashore at Eastney in Portsmouth after attempting to cross from Normandy, sparking anti-migrant protests in the city. Two weeks later, on 22 September, migrants were intercepted south of the Isle of Wight. More than 100 protesters gathered in Gosport after reports they were being brought to the town but the lifeboats were ultimately diverted to Dover . On 4 October, a third boat left Normandy bound for the Hampshire coast, with 150 migrants on board. They were brought to Fort Blockhouse , a former military site at the southern tip of the Gosport peninsula, before being taken by coach to a processing centre in Kent. 'Gangs trying different things' The shortest crossing of the English Channel is from Calais to Dover but that is also where the UK Border Force has historically focused its efforts. Attempts to cross from Normandy have been rare but migrants have been attempting longer, more dangerous crossings in the past few years, setting off from a wider stretch of French coast. In April, a new deal was signed with the French to help stop illegal migrants from making the journey. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the fact "the gangs are trying different things, different routes, different vessels was a sign government policy to disrupt them was working". But he acknowledged it was "difficult" for those living in Hampshire. On 29 September, the Home Office said Border Security Command officials had been "reassured" by their French counterparts that they remained "fully committed to preventing small boat launches" and would be "increasing their focus and activity along the western coast in light of this week's events". It added that wherever landings happen, all migrants were transported to short-term holding facilities in Kent, where they were processed and underwent stringent health, security and biometric checks. What can France do? The Home Office has said French authorities are becoming more effective at stopping small boats in the Channel from reaching the UK, deploying new techniques to stop them leaving French beaches. The UK-France Border Security deal agreed in April under the Starmer government, includes £501m over three years to strengthen operations in northern France and £161m for new approaches. Previously, most launched dinghies have been allowed to head towards the UK because of the risk to officers and civilians when intercepting overcrowded vessels in deep water. French police and firefighters are allowed to intervene in shallow water to rescue people who appear to be in imminent danger. Maritime officials report that many migrants only choose to be rescued after they have entered British waters. Currently, sending them back to France would be unlawful under international law. Row over Gosport landing After the landing at Eastney and significant protests, the Home Office had to consider where an alternative emergency landing could take place. As a former military site, Fort Blockhouse was considered secure, with the landing pontoon not accessible to the public. There is also a large area where emergency services and coaches can park. Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage and the leader of Gosport Borough Council, Zoe Huggins, have both warned that the access route over a single track bridge and restricted road access on the peninsula, made the site unsuitable. They said it was impossible to ensure the safety of the area if anti-migrant groups chose to target it. As protesters gathered on the night of 22 September, lifeboats with rescued migrants on board diverted to Dover. However, on 4 October, the rescue vessels landed at Fort Blockhouse. The Home Office has refused to say why Gosport was chosen on this occasion, saying previously it does not comment on "operational processes". Border Force patrols The Border Force uses a core fleet of patrol boats, known as "cutters", to protect UK waters, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. But Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Donna Jones has said the boats are not suitable for intercepting migrant dinghies in the English Channel. She has called on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to ensure the Border Force is equipped with appropriate vessels to safely intercept boats mid-Channel and transfer migrants directly to Dover by water, avoiding the use of coastguard lifeboats. The Home Office told the BBC it would not comment on operational matters. Gosport Protests Need To Know Hampshire Listen on Sounds Gosport protest measures In an effort to stop protesters travelling to Fort Blockhouse, police implemented a dispersal order under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to cover the town of Gosport. The order gave Hampshire Police officers the power to make a person leave the area with no return before 07:00 BST on 7 October. Those who refused to comply would be committing a criminal offence and liable for arrest. Hampshire's Reform UK leader George Madgwick has written to Jones and the chief constable to give notice of a possible judicial review into the decision to issue the order. Reform said the force could have overreached its powers, with the party's leader saying it "essentially put 80,000 people in lockdown". Jones' office told the BBC that Madgwick's letter was "predominantly about operational police matters", adding: "The Commissioner has referred the letter to the Chief Constable and asked him to reply to Cllr Madgwick." Hampshire's financial costs According to Jones, 227 police officers had to be brought in from six forces on 4 October at a cost of more than £200,000. The PCC said policing anti-migrant protests was costing an estimated £1m a month and has asked the Home Secretary to compensate the Hampshire force, adding that it was taking frontline officers away from answering 999 calls. Before the Labour Party conference, the PM promised to "have a conversation" with Hampshire Police about the pressures they face in policing protests. That meeting has not yet taken place. There have been other costs from the protests too. On Monday morning in Gosport, street cleaning teams from the borough council were deployed to clear nails from the road and replace burnt out wheelie bins. Could it happen again? The Home Office has said the government has established contingency plans to deal with small boat arrivals further along the coastline from Kent. It did not give details of where, but it is not believed to be Hampshire. The change in weather could mean there is less chance of a crossing for now. The level of small boat crossings has historically dropped significantly at this time of year, with October 2025 seeing about half the number of people arriving compared to the previous month. The government says year-to-date arrivals are approximately 42% lower than the same point last year, while the number of boats has now fallen to 49% below last year's levels. Click to expand Tap the questions below How many people cross the English Channel in small boats? Between 1 January and 5 October 2026, a total of 20,478 people crossed the English Channel by small boat from France. This was down by 40% on the same period the previous year. These crossings have become the most common way for people to be detected entering the UK illegally since 2020. Nearly all those who arrive by small boat claim asylum. Under international law, this means they are allowed to stay in the country while their asylum application is considered. Small boat arrivals made up 40% of asylum applications between July 2025 to June 2026. Boats that arrived in the UK from 6 October 2025 to 5 October 2026 carried an average of 68 people. This has more than doubled since 2021. Experts say overcrowding in boats makes crossings riskier . At least 84 people died while attempting to cross the Channel in 2024, according to the United Nations (UN). When looking at the scale of small boats crossings, the number of these arrivals is about 5% of the size of total immigration into the UK from January 2025 to December 2025. The government has pledged to “smash the gangs” behind these crossings in order to reduce the numbers. Who is arriving in the UK on small boats? People from Eritrea accounted for 18% of all arrivals from July 2025 to June 2026. In the latest figures covering January 2025 to December 2025, at least 2,335 people who arrived by small boat were found to be potential victims of human trafficking or other forms of modern slavery, according to the Home Office. How else do people stay in the UK without permission? Another 4,712 people were detected entering the UK without permission via other methods including hiding in vehicles, travelling on ferries or through airports from July 2025 to June 2026. This was down by 17% on the same period the previous year. There are also individuals who arrive legally, for example via a work or study visa, and then overstay their limit. The total number of people who live in the UK illegally after arriving legally is not known. See more key stats on hotels, small boats and asylum Get in touch Your Voice Contact form Contact form Related topics Hampshire & Isle of Wight UK immigration Gosport Portsmouth English Channel Migration Related internet links Migrants taken to Dover after more than 30 hours at sea Published 23 September Protesters block roads in Portsmouth after 140 migrants arrive in boat Published 7 September Protesters scuffle with police as migrants brought ashore on south coast Published 6 days ago Migrants using longer, more dangerous routes across Channel Published 29 September