Residents “frightened” and barricaded themselves in homes during Gosport migrant protests
Disorder erupted during the protests
Residents were left “frightened” and barricaded themselves in their homes during disorder as protesters gathered to oppose migrants being brought ashore in Gosport on Sunday.
The RNLI transferred 149 migrants to Fort Blockhouse after a boat had crossed the English Channel from Normandy, France. It is the first time that one of these boats has arrived in the town, after a previous crossing was diverted to Dover.
It led to 12 people being arrested in connection with the protests, police previously confirmed.
Councillor Lesley Meenaghan, a borough councillor for Harbourside and Town Ward, urged people “our heads cool” and “community safe” after disorder during protests which resulted in bins being set alight, officers assaulted and residents scared.
She said: “We understand the community is worried about the potential use of Fort Blockhouse as a dedicated landing place for illegal migrants. Caroline Dinenage MP, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Donna Jones Cllr Zoe Huggins BEM along with our colleagues are working hard explaining why Gosport is not the right fit for such landings. We are demanding answers from the Home Office to reassure our community that this is not the plan.
“Some of the actions on Sunday did not help our cause. Many protesters came from outside Gosport. Police officers on duty, protecting our community, were assaulted. Bins were set alight, fencing was damaged, and residents were left hiding in their homes, frightened. This behaviour has consequences for our community cohesion.
“We have been contacted by local residents alarmed at what they witnessed. As councillors, our job is to represent you in a calm, professional manner. We are not here to inflame community tension, because that has real consequences for people in our community.
“My plea to you - there is a lot of misinformation out there. Please check and verify what you read and what you are told before sharing it.”
It comes as MP Dame Caroline Dinenage urged protesters to go about their demonstrations peacefully.
She said: “Police are just trying to do what they can to keep people safe in the most difficult circumstances, and it’s unacceptable on every level.
“I absolutely understand the fury and the outrage of people in Gosport and beyond, who want to fight about what they see as our views being run roughshod over. What I would say is that it’s really important that, as much as you make your voices heard, you do so peacefully, because it impacts the lives of others.
“There was criminal damage to property, there were nails being put on the road to try and stop the coaches leaving - but they will impact other people’s cars. I fully support people’s right to protest and be furious about this - I’m furious about it myself - we just have to be mindful of the lives of other people who live in the community.”