The Government has warned that people-smuggling gangs may be changing their tactics by using larger boats and less frequently targeted stretches of the British coastline, following an unusual Channel crossing and protests in Dover and Portsmouth.
Policing Minister Sarah Jones gave a formal statement to the House of Commons on Monday following protest activity on the South Coast over the weekend.
Jones confirmed that a boat carrying approximately 120 people reached British waters near the Isle of Wight on Sunday — considerably further west than the majority of small boat crossings.
Government raises concern over changing Channel tactics
The most significant new development came as Jones addressed the Government's response to small boat crossings.
She told MPs that the use of larger boats carrying more than 100 people was a clear cause for concern and said ministers remained alert to the possibility of crossings taking place on less frequently targeted stretches of water around the British coastline.
Jones said organised smuggling gangs were responding to enforcement action by Britain and France and that the Government would adapt its own response in turn.
The comments represent an official acknowledgement that ministers are preparing for possible changes in the routes and tactics used by people smugglers.
Boat reached British waters near Isle of Wight
According to the ministerial statement, the vessel carrying approximately 120 people reached British waters near the Isle of Wight during Sunday afternoon.
The RNLI, acting under the direction of HM Coastguard, met the boat and directed it towards Eastney Marina in the wider Portsmouth area.
The Government has not said that a permanent new route has been established, but Jones's statement confirms ministers are alert to the possibility of smugglers attempting crossings in less frequently targeted waters.
More than 200 protesters gathered in Portsmouth
At around 8pm on Sunday, more than 200 protesters arrived at the harbour intending to block three coaches due to take the arrivals away for processing.
Jones said many protesters were dressed in black and wearing face coverings.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, supported by neighbouring forces, imposed a dispersal notice. Police officers used batons and PAVA spray as they sought to maintain order in the face of what the minister described as aggression.
The demonstration continued into the early hours of Monday morning, with protesters beginning to disperse at around 4am and the coaches eventually able to leave.
No arrests were made on the night, although investigations remain under way.
Dover protest blocked access to port
The Commons statement also provided further details of Saturday's protest at the Port of Dover.
Jones said around 150 people descended on the port at approximately 7.30am, many wearing face coverings. Kent Police described it as a no-notice protest and deployed officers to the scene.
The crowd eventually dispersed and access to the port was restored. No arrests were made.
Government condemns disorder but acknowledges public concern
Jones defended the right to peaceful protest but said threatening behaviour and serious disruption could not be accepted.
She said the Government condemned intimidating and thuggish behaviour by some of those involved in the weekend's demonstrations.
However, the minister also acknowledged what she described as valid concerns among law-abiding members of the public about criminal smuggling gangs and illegal Channel crossings.
Ministers say Channel crossings down
Jones told MPs that the Government had doubled the number of National Crime Agency officers working to dismantle organised immigration crime and said more than 1,100 boats and engines had been seized.
She said cooperation with French authorities had prevented more than 48,000 attempted crossings and that the agreement signed with France in April had increased the number of French personnel involved in enforcement by 40 per cent to more than 1,000.
The minister also said more than 6,000 people arriving by small boat had been returned since the General Election and that crossings so far this year were more than 43 per cent lower than last year.
Ministers preparing for further changes by smugglers
Despite reporting a fall in crossings, Jones said the Government was not complacent and would respond to changes in the methods used by organised smuggling gangs.
Ministers have stopped short of declaring that a new western Channel route has been established, but the warning that gangs may use larger vessels and less frequently targeted stretches of coastline marks a significant development in the Government's public assessment of the threat.