Gosport migrants: Hampshire police bring in dispersal order for all of town ahead of possible boat landing
Police have laid several orders - including a ban on wearing masks at a protest - on Gosport
Police have placed a dispersal order on the whole town of Gosport as preparations continue to be made for a possible migrant boat landing.
The order means that anyone in Gosport who does not leave an area when asked to by a police officer can be arrested.
An order has also been brought in that prohibits wearing face coverings during a protest, and one that has designated an area of Walpole car park as a place for protesters to gather. This order is in place until 4pm on Monday.
The statement, in full, says: “We are currently working with partner agencies following a report of a small boat crossing in the English Channel. We know how these incidents can impact local communities and are aware of a group of people gathering in Gosport.
“We have deployed officers to the area to support our partners in the event of an emergency at sea, and to facilitate peaceful protest. To ensure the safety of our local communities as well as those who may wish to protest, we are making use of a variety of police powers.
“Under Section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, those seeking to gather will be directed to a designated area which is inside Walpole car park outlined in the map labelled ‘Section 14’. This order is in place until 4pm on Monday, 5 October. Failure to comply with these conditions is a criminal offence and may result in arrest.
“Powers under Section 158 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 and Section 60AA under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 are in place in Gosport and Portsmouth, as outlined in the map labelled ‘Section 158 and Section 60AA’. These powers are in place until 4pm on Monday, 5 October.
“Section 158 prohibits the wearing of face coverings used to conceal identity during any protest activity. This will assist in preventing offences, protecting communities and supporting the lawful exercise of democratic rights by all participants.
“Section 60AA gives officers the power to require a person to remove any items being used to conceal their identity, such as masks and face coverings. Any failure to comply can result in the person being arrested.
“Officers have also implemented a dispersal order under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to cover the town of Gosport outlined in the map below labelled ‘Section 34’. This order is in place until 7am on Tuesday, 6 October.
“The order gives officers the power to order a person to leave the area with no return within a specified time period. Those who refuse to comply with the order are committing a criminal offence and are liable for arrest.”
A migrant boat is currently in the middle of the Channel, having set off from Normandy at about 6am today. Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has asked the government for clarity about where it will be brought ashore, but Reform councillor George Madgwick says he has been told that the asylum seekers will be disembarked at Fort Blockhouse.
Haslar Bridge has been closed by police, and there are coaches at Blockhouse already. This also happened on September 22, when the occupants of a boat were apparently originally going to be taken to Gosport but were eventually taken to Dover by sea.