𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

More than 600 migrants arrived in small boats in a 24-hour period this week, data has revealed. It happened on Monday, with 418 coming ashore the day before and 338 on Tuesday. Eight vessels arrived on Monday, and five on the days either side. The figures on the Government’s website are taken from provisional UK and French operational data and are subject to change. “The small boat arrivals figures may differ from figures published in the final official statistics on Immigration system statistics under the topic ‘How many people come to the UK via illegal entry routes?’, which will have undergone a more thorough quality assurance process,” officials say.

“The quarterly Immigration system statistics release presents final and authoritative statistics on small boat arrivals,” the Government adds. “A ‘small boat’ is one of a number of vessels used by individuals who cross the English Channel, with the aim of gaining entry to the UK without a visa or permission to enter – either directly by landing in the UK or having been intercepted at sea by the authorities and brought ashore.

“The most common small vessels detected making these types of crossings are rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), dinghies and kayaks.” The data does not include people who:

• arrive in the UK on larger vessels, such as go-fast craft, yachts (except those arriving in the area of operations of small boats), motor cruisers, tugs and fishing vessels – although these are rarely used by people arriving via illegal routes at present
• arrive in the UK clandestinely on larger vessels not referenced above, including where hidden in a vehicle on a ferry
• are prevented from departing France, or those intercepted by French authorities and returned to France
• arrive in the UK undetected, or where there have been reports of people making the crossing, but no actual encounters

It comes as a 38-year-old man has been charged with failing to comply with restrictions imposed on a protest against the arrival of migrants in Gosport after a small boat crossing. Hampshire Constabulary said around 350 people left Haslar Road at around 2am on Monday after a group of migrants were brought ashore by coastguard, lifeboat and border security staff.

The force had imposed conditions under the Public Order Act as well as powers prohibiting the wearing of face coverings. A total of 12 people were arrested with suspects including 11 men aged between 22 and 59, and one 57-year-old woman.

They were arrested on suspicion of offences including assaulting a police officer, drunk and disorderly, failing to comply with conditions put in place on the protest, criminal damage and racially aggravated public order. Jamie Bennett, of Thyme Avenue, Whiteley, has been charged with failing to comply with a dispersal order under Section 35 powers, excluding a person from an area.