Protesters arrested after blocking coach in Peckham over asylum seeker transfers

Protesters have surrounded a coach in Peckham today over concerns that asylum seekers are being transferred to the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset.

Police were called at around 8.40am to reports of protesters outside the Best Western in Peckham Road.

The Met said the coach was being obstructed by people and bicycles. 

Anna Pichierri, who is currently at the protest, said: “When I got here at around 8am the coach was already surrounded.

“People from the community all came out and were peacefully protesting.”

The coach they surrounded when it arrived at about 8am has remained stationary and empty of its intended passengers.

But Ms Pichierri said the action escalated into violence after police allegedly started “dragging” protesters away from the coach.

The activist from Movement for Justice said: “Someone got punched in the throat by a police officer, others were kicked.”

About 12 police vehicles remain at the scene, Ms Pichierri said, with police vans blocking the road at both ends. A crowd of about 150 people continue to chant, “we shall not be moved”.

Ms Pichierri said: “We need to stop this violent practice to remove these people. They are ripping people away from their community.

Video shows protesters chanting whilst surrounding the coach as police stand by (Picture: Movement for Justice)

“Today is a victory for us – they haven’t been able to take our friends away.”

A Home Office spokesman described the protesters’ behaviour as “intimidatory and aggressive” and said the incident was not an immigration enforcement visit.

They said:  “As part of our commitment to significantly reducing the use of hotels, asylum seekers are being moved into alternative accommodation to reduce costs on the taxpayer.” 

The Home Office said it was planning to close 150 asylum seeker hotels by the beginning of May.

A spokesman said they were working “closely with accommodation providers to manage the exit process in a way which limits the impact on local authorities and asylum seekers alike”.

In a statement, posted on X, 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.”

Pictured top: Police remove a protester after demonstrators formed a blockade around a coach to prevent the removal of migrants from the temporary accommodation (Picture: PA)