Protesters block bus and slash its tyres to stop it taking migrants to barge
Protesters in south London have blocked a coach set to transport asylum seekers to the Bibby Stockholm barge.
A large group of people, many with their faces covered, surrounded the coach outside the Best Western Hotel in Peckham on Thursday and prevented it from leaving.
Police have warned the group they face arrest if they do not disperse, but protesters said they were ‘determined’ to stop the coach from leaving.
Those in attendance formed a human ring around the bus, while others jammed Lime bikes underneath the wheels.
Welfare group SOAS Detainee Support posted on X calling for more people to help them stop the coach leaving but said the protesters were ‘determined’ it would not.
The posts said: ‘Comrades have stopped our friends being taken to the Bibby barge – but more numbers needed!
‘We’ve also learned the coach is meant to be taking people from three other hotels en route.
‘Resistance may be needed at these three hotels if the coach eventually leaves Peckham – but the comrades are determined it won’t!’
Video footage of the scene shows protesters could be heard chanting ‘no borders, no nations, stop deportations’.
After refusing to disperse, the protest eventually descended into violence, and police have confirmed that a number of arrests have been made.
A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: ‘Police were called at around 08:40hrs to reports of a group of protesters near a hotel in Peckham Road SE15.
‘There were reports that a coach had been obstructed by people and bicycles. A number of people have been arrested for offences including obstruction of the highway, and one for a racially aggravated public order offence. They have all been taken into custody.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: ‘My officers were quickly on scene and have engaged with the protesters at length. My officers had warned the group that obstructing the highway, and obstructing police, are criminal offences and that they could be arrested.
‘We will always respect the right to peaceful protest but we have been clear that where there is serious disruption and criminality then we will take decisive action. The situation is ongoing and we will provide more information when we can.’
The move came after the Home Office recently abandoned plans to move a group of asylum seekers in Kent to the Bibby Stockholm barge after they were met with heavy resistance.
The men living in Margate, Kent, were told they would be transferred to the asylum accommodation in Dorset earlier this month.
But they were forced to abandon their plans after residents turned up en masse to prevent them from leaving.
A letter sent by Government officials on Monday said: ‘The formal notice to quit the property is now withdrawn with immediate effect.
‘You will no longer need to travel to the Bibby Stockholm.’
Mayor of Margate Rob Yates said residents wanted to support the men, from Afghanistan and Pakistan, who have become part of the community after living and volunteering in the area for seven months.
‘I think the Margate community is ready to protect its own residents,’ he told reporters.
‘We tried to avoid shouting or disrupting traffic while blocking the coach, resulting in no police involvement and hopefully helped to make the men in the hotel feel safe.
‘Going forwards, we’re ready to do this again. Community activism is a valid tool when it comes to protecting asylum seekers, and I think in this current climate (it) is one that we should all consider.’
This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
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