Around 60 migrants land in Dover after rejecting French aid, prompting protests and arrests

A small boat that left Normandy on Monday spent over a day at sea before reaching Dover early Wednesday. The passengers, about 60 migrants, rejected French coastguard aid and were collected by British rescue vessels and handed to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Border Security Command. The arrival led to protests in Gosport and Dover, with several dozen demonstrators gathering.

Police deployed riot units and later arrested six people on charges such as careless driving, assault on an emergency worker and aggravated trespass; the detainees remain in custody as investigations continue. The Home Office warned the vessel might have been disembarked in Gosport and briefed local police, while French authorities noted the precarious condition of the craft. The incident highlights ongoing Channel migration pressures and the tension it creates in coastal communities.