Around 100 anti-migrant demonstrators have gathered in a seaside town amid amid reports that authorities are preparing for the arrival of a migrant dinghy heading for the south coast.

The dinghy was being shadowed by French rescue vessels, but now appears to be in British waters with RNLI boats on the scene, according to ship tracking data.

French media reported there are around 120 migrants on board. A police cordon has been put in place on Haslar Road, in Gosport.

While understood to have started as a largely peaceful demonstration, six people have been arrested by police officers, according to reports.

Footage capturing scenes by Gosport’s Haslar Marina shows crowds gathered around police vans chanting “shame on you” and “deport the lot”.

The demonstration follows heightened scrutiny over migrant arrivals to the UK, where similar anti-immigration protests have flared up across coastal towns including Dover and Portsmouth.

Earlier today, the Reform leader of Hampshire council George Madgwick, said on X:“I hate to report that Gosport is the planned landing point for today’s migrant boat.

“This is an absolute shambles,” he said, “But there is hope. Last time they planned to dock there they changed course. Let’s hope they do the same today.

“If you’re heading there stay peaceful and calm.”

A government spokesperson said: “The Border Security Command works around the clock to monitor the Channel and protect our border. It is vital we continue to detain, check and process every small boat arrival.”

Last month, British rescue boats collected the passengers of a migrant dinghy which had spent around 30 hours at sea after setting off from Normandy.

The 51 migrants, who refused help from the French coastguard, arrived in Dover after being transferred to Border Security Command boats.

The provisional total for Channel crossings this year is 19,451.

This is down 43% on this time last year and 23% below the figure at this stage in 2024.

Authorities have since placed a dispersal order under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to cover the town of Gosport.

This order is in place until 7am on Tuesday, 6 October. Those who refuse to comply with the order are committing a criminal offence and are liable for arrest.

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