Anti-migrant protesters scuffle with police after 149 small boat arrivals use 'new route'

Need to know Anti-migrant protesters scuffle with police after 149 small boat arrivals use 'new route' It has sparked outrage, with protesters chanting "send them back". Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source By Adam Toms 09:37, Mon, Oct 5, 2026 Updated: 11:43, Mon, Oct 5, 2026 Arrests were made yesterday (Image: Getty) Everything you need to know about the small boat arrival in Hampshire On Sunday, multiple dinghies departed from Normandy for the UK, as migrants take longer, more dangerous crossing routes from beaches further west of Calais. Following an English Channel crossing, a dinghy was shadowed by French vessels before two RNLI boats brought approximately 149 migrants ashore near Haslar Marina in Gosport overnight. The arrival sparked local outrage, with protesters chanting "send them back". Police established cordons, resulting in six people arrested following clashes, implementing a dispersal order alongside a face-covering ban. Authorities dispatched ambulances and coaches to the area, later confirming the newly arrived individuals would be transported for processing in Kent to undergo standard health, security and biometric checks. Gosport’s Conservative MP, Caroline Dinenage, heavily criticised the Home Office's response , arguing that the town lacks the hospital and transport infrastructure for disembarkations, and demanded future boats are redirected to Dover. Migrant Crisis English Channel migrant crossings Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments Unavailable Sorry, we are unable to accept comments about this article at the moment. However, you will find some great articles which you can comment on right now in our Comment section .