Spanish Naval Vessel Intercepted In Gibraltar Incursion

A Spanish naval vessel has reportedly entered British territorial waters around Gibraltar.

According to GBC, the Serviola-class Atalaya patrol boat spent just under an hour in the territory.

HMS Scimitar went to meet the ship and shadowed her until she left, apparently heading in the direction of Ceuta.

The incident is being raised with Spain.

In the last year, 434 incursions by Spanish Vessels were recorded.

In November, the Royal Navy was forced to fire flares at a Spanish research vessel after she strayed into British Gibraltar territorial waters.

HMS Sabre gave the warning to Angeles Alvarino after attempts to contact her by radio failed.

The research vessel, which is investigating geological risks to the seabed, left British waters after the flares were fired.

At the time, a Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 

"The Royal Navy challenges all unlawful maritime incursions into British Gibraltar territorial waters. We back this up by making formal diplomatic protests to the Spanish government."

In the latest figures into the incursions by Spanish vessels, it was revealed that they had increased by 7%

When referring to the increase, a Gibraltar Government spokesperson told Forces TV:

"Spain refuses to recognise the existence of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, and maintains the absurd proposition that the waters around the Rock are Spanish." 

"They therefore behave in accordance with that mistaken notion and this is why the Spanish Navy and other agencies of the Spanish state carry out these incursions. Spain is making a sovereignty point which is contrary to international law."

Forces TV is awaiting comment from the British Ministry of Defence on the matter.

More: Spain Calls For Joint Control Of Gibraltar Following Brexit