Donna Jones asks Home Secretary for answers as cost of illegal migrant protests passes £800,000

A police and crime commissioner has written to the Home Secretary for a second time demanding answers over small boat landings in Portsmouth and Gosport.

Donna Jones said the incidents had placed significant pressure on police resources, with the cost of policing operations since the first arrival in September now exceeding £800,000.

She has formally asked the Home Office to reimburse the full cost and commit to covering future deployments linked to small boat crossings and protest activity. Her latest letter follows three incidents in recent weeks, with protests sparked in Portsmouth and Gosport over migrant landings.

Mrs Jones said she had received no response to her first letter, in which she told the government that Hampshire was an unsuitable landing site and warned of the risks associated with using the area.

She is now seeking details of discussions between the Home Secretary and the French interior minister, particularly over whether additional French resources will be deployed to prevent crossings on the route from Normandy to Hampshire.

Mrs Jones said the landings were having a "huge impact" on policing and claimed the level of criminality was increasing.

She said: “At the most recent landing in Gosport, there were 12 arrests including four for assaulting a police officer and one for assaulting an emergency worker.

“Those who were intent on preventing the landing blocked entry and exit routes to disrupt the emergency vehicles and coaches. Officers were met with human blockades and improvised barricades. Tack and glass were placed on the ground to immobilise support vehicles. In addition, the police marine unit had to be deployed to stop small marine vessels attempting to reach the pontoon.

“Reports have been received of bins being set on fire and some residents have reported feeling scared to leave their homes during the protest activity.

“At all three events, officers were abused, assaulted and filmed, live streamed on social media alongside assumptions about their motivations, when each and every one of those officers were deployed with an absolute commitment to upholding the law and keeping the peace.

“The cost of the policing operation so far since the first small boat arrival in Hampshire is now over £800k.

“I have made a formal request to the Home Office for a full reimbursement and a commitment to reimburse all future deployments relating to small boat crossings, including protest activity.”

Following the protests, a number of people have been sentenced in court for their roles in the unrest.

Del Somerville, 42 of Walsingham Close, Paulsgrove, was sentenced to two years in prison for violent disorder. Deano Ryan and Justin Dixon, 22 and 50 respectively, both received suspended sentences for the same charge.

Earlier today (Thursday, October 15), 32-year-old Shannon Dodds and Sally Pearson, 31, also received suspended sentences for their crimes during a protest in Gosport.

Mrs Jones said: "I once again call on the government to ensure that landings on the Hampshire coast do not become a regular occurrence and that I am included in further meetings between the Home Secretary and ministers in order for me to fulfil my responsibilities on behalf of Hampshire and Isle of Wight residents."