The Home Office warned local MP Dame Caroline Dinenage that it was "increasingly likely" a small boat would disembark in Gosport before the vessel was ultimately rerouted to Dover amid waterfront protests that led to six arrests.

In messages shared by Dame Caroline, officials said Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary were "fully sighted" on the boat, which had departed from typical Channel crossing routes and was heading towards Portsmouth Harbour. The Home Office had planned to transfer the passengers "as quickly as possible" to reception facilities in Kent, stating there was no intention for them to remain in Hampshire beyond immediate operational needs.

Donna Jones, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said she had urged Border Force to redirect the vessel to Dover instead. Ms Jones described the burden on local policing as "unsustainable", noting that Hampshire is not equipped to process small boat arrivals and pointing to a similar incident on 6 September in Portsmouth that diverted hundreds of officers.

The boat, carrying around 60 people, had spent more than 33 hours at sea in what the French coastguard described as "precarious conditions". A statement from the Préfecture maritime de la Manche et de la mer du Nord confirmed the vessel was monitored between the morning of 21 September and late afternoon on 22 September. French authorities described the dinghy as "ill-suited for such a crossing" and said occupants were "weakened", but had refused assistance because they were "determined to take all risks to reach the United Kingdom". French officials also reminded the public that interfering with maritime rescue operations or breaching maritime law can lead to prosecution.

The vessel was eventually intercepted by two RNLI lifeboats before Border Force assumed control. Immigration officials abandoned initial plans to land the vessel in Gosport after hundreds of demonstrators gathered along the waterfront.

Hampshire Police confirmed that crowds had closely monitored the crossing on Tuesday, 22 September. A number of men dressed in black clothing, several with face coverings, took positions at the front of the demonstration as chants of "Send them back" came from the crowd. Lines of riot officers were deployed to manage the situation across Gosport and Portsmouth.

A force spokesperson said officers were sent "to help facilitate peaceful protest, ensure the safety of the local community and support partners in the event of any emergency at sea." After news broke that the boat was being taken elsewhere, police reported that some individuals who remained in Gosport became hostile. Six people were arrested on suspicion of offences including careless driving, assaulting an emergency worker and aggravated trespass, and remain in custody.

Investigators are also reviewing online footage, including a video circulating on social media appearing to show damage being caused to a boat in the Channel on the afternoon of 22 September.

Border Force took the migrants to Dover by water, which Dame Caroline called "a good result" following representations she, Gosport Borough Council Leader Cllr Zoe Huggins BEM, and Ms Jones made to central government.

What we do not know yet is whether further arrests will be made as officers examine footage of the disturbance, or what the outcome of the boat damage investigation will be. I'll be following this one — check back for updates.