Bibby Stockholm: 45 arrests as protesters block coach in bid to stop asylum seekers being transferred to barge | UK News

Protesters sat on the street in front of the bus near the Best Western hotel in Peckham, south-east London, and some protesters were removed by officers.

Police arrested 45 people after protesters blocked a bus due to take asylum seekers to the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset.

A large group of protesters, many with their faces covered, surrounded the vehicle and linked arms near the Best Western hotel in Peckham, south-east London, later that day.

Several people sat on the street, in front of the bus that had a flat tire, and some protesters were removed by the officers.

Police said they were called around 8:40 a.m. to reports of people obstructing a bus that was parked outside the hotel.

The Metropolitan Police said 45 people were arrested and taken into police custody for offenses including obstructing the road, obstructing police and assaulting police.

The bus, which was supposed to take seven asylum seekers to the barge, left the scene without them on board.

Laurence Smith, of the Lewisham Donation Hub charity, said asylum seekers were now being supported by protesters at the organisation’s base in Lewisham.

In footage from the scene in Peckham, protesters could be heard shouting “no borders, no nations, stop the deportations.”

Sky News correspondent Sadiya Chowdhury said the incident was “descending into total chaos”.

“The protesters surrounded that bus, they didn’t let it leave. In the end, when it left, it left empty,” he said.

He Bibby Stockholmmoored at Portland in Dorset, has been used since last august as ministers sought alternatives to hotel accommodation for those awaiting decisions on their asylum claims.

But the ship has been plagued with problems, including an outbreak of Legionella bacteria on board – and in December, police confirmed one of the people on board had diedwith reports suggesting the man had taken his own life.

In February, MPs warned of ‘claustrophobic’ conditions on board the ship, which could constitute a violation of the human rights of asylum seekers.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said on Thursday: “Accommodating migrants in hotels costs the British taxpayer millions of pounds every day.

“We will not let this small group of students, posing for social media, stop us from doing what is right for the British public.”

Read more:
Leonard Farruku’s family ‘cannot afford’ to repatriate body

In a statement published on X, the Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at around 8.40am to reports of a group of protesters near a hotel on Peckham Road SE15.

“There were reports that a coach had been blocked by people and bicycles.”

Met deputy assistant commissioner Ade Adelekan said: “My officers quickly arrived at the scene and engaged in extensive discussions with the protesters.

“My officers had warned the group that obstructing the road and obstructing police are criminal offenses and they could be arrested.”