Hundreds of protesters converged on a marina in Gosport, Hampshire, on Tuesday evening after responding to calls by far-right activist Daniel Thomas to disrupt the arrival of a small boat believed to be carrying asylum seekers. The demonstration was prompted by reports that migrants would disembark at the site.
Police detained six people during the gathering, authorities said. Details about the arrests, including any suspected offences or whether charges will be brought, were not immediately disclosed.
Border Force vessels carrying the group of asylum seekers did not land at Gosport; officials instead brought them to Dover early on Wednesday. The change of disembarkation point meant the protesters at the Hampshire marina were mistaken in their expectation of a landing there.
The incident highlights continuing tensions around small-boat crossings and migrant arrivals in the UK, which have prompted protests and political debate in coastal communities. Local and national agencies have increasingly coordinated responses to manage arrivals and public order when information about potential landings circulates.