Hampshire Police deployed officers and imposed restrictions on protesters as a small boat carrying an estimated 120 migrants approached the coast at Gosport on Sunday, according to BBC News — UK.
Ship tracking data showed the dinghy had departed from near the Utah Beach area of Normandy on Sunday morning. French rescue vessels shadowed the craft before it entered waters off Gosport, where RNLI boats arrived on the scene. French media reported around 120 people were on board.
Hampshire Police said they had sent officers to the town to “support our partners in the event of an emergency at sea.” The force imposed conditions under the Public Order Act and introduced powers prohibiting the wearing of face coverings in response to the gathering.
Protesters block police vehicles
A police cordon was established on Haslar Road in Gosport, where the protest atmosphere largely remained peaceful. However, some demonstrators stopped police vans from moving forward by standing in front of them and chanting “shame on you” and “deport the lot”. Ambulances and coaches were also present in the area.
Similar scenes unfolded in the same location last month when protesters assembled expecting migrants to arrive on a dinghy, though on that occasion authorities ultimately transported those on board to Dover by sea.
A Home Office spokesperson said the Border Security Command works continuously to monitor the Channel and protect Britain’s border. They emphasised the importance of detaining, checking and processing every small boat arrival.
Rare western route sees third crossing in a month
Departures from this far west along the French coast have been uncommon in recent years, but this marks the third such crossing in the space of a month. The unusual route takes migrants directly towards the Hampshire coast rather than the more typical Dover-Calais corridor.
The provisional total for Channel crossings in 2026 stands at 19,451 people. This figure represents a 43 per cent decrease compared to the same point last year and is 23 per cent below the number recorded at this stage in 2024.
What this means for Poles in the UK
The continuing Channel crossings and public protests highlight ongoing tensions around immigration policy in the UK. For Poles living in Britain with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, these developments do not affect existing rights to live and work in the country.
However, the demonstrations and increased police presence in coastal areas may cause disruption to local communities, particularly in towns like Gosport that are now seeing arrivals. Polish residents in affected areas should be aware that police have powers to impose face covering bans and movement restrictions under the Public Order Act during such incidents.
The Home Office’s emphasis on detaining and processing all small boat arrivals reflects the government’s broader approach to immigration enforcement. This does not target legal residents, but underscores the heightened scrutiny on border security matters. Anyone with questions about their immigration status should consult the official gov.uk website or seek advice from an immigration solicitor.
