PCC Calls For Government Action Over Small Boat Landings

Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has written to the Home Secretary for a second time, warning about the impact of small boat landings on policing and local communities.

It follows three incidents in recent weeks, which resulted in two landings in Portsmouth and Gosport.

Donna Jones says she has yet to receive a response to her initial letter in September, in which she raised concerns about the dangers posed by Hampshire’s coastline and the pressure crossings could place on police resources.

She is now seeking details of discussions between the UK and French governments about deploying additional resources to prevent crossings along the Normandy-to-Hampshire route.

At the most recent landing in Gosport, 12 people were arrested, including four on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and one for assaulting an emergency worker.

The commissioner says officers faced blockades and makeshift barricades, while tacks and broken glass were placed on the ground to disable support vehicles.

Police marine units were also deployed to prevent small vessels from reaching a pontoon.

Reports of bins being set alight have also been received, while some residents said they were afraid to leave their homes during protests.

Donna Jones says officers were abused, assaulted and filmed during all three incidents, with footage livestreamed on social media.

The cost of policing operations since the first small boat arrival in Hampshire has now exceeded £800,000.

She has formally asked the Home Office to reimburse the full amount and cover the costs of future operations linked to crossings and associated protests.

The commissioner also warned that the need for urgent support from other police forces was affecting services in their own communities.

She is calling on the government to prevent Hampshire’s coastline becoming a regular landing point and to include her in future ministerial discussions on the issue.