BUS STOP
Protesters block and SLASH tyres of coach taking illegal migrants from London hotel to Bibby Stockholm barge
It comes as more than 700 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats yesterday
MASKED protesters have slashed the tyres of a coach transporting illegal migrants from a hotel to the Bibby Stockholm barge.
Demonstrators surrounded the coach shortly after it arrived at the Best Western hotel in Peckham, south east London, at 8am.
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The bus had been sent to take eight migrants staying at the hotel to the Bibby Stockholm in Portland, Dorset.
But the large group of protesters, equipped with drums and trumpets, prevented anyone from being taken on board.
They reportedly chanted "no borders, no nations, stop deportations" and "no detentions, no flights, refugees have human rights" during the demonstrations.
The migrants were reportedly told they would be collected from the hotel in this morning and transported to the barge.
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Instead, they remained stuck at the hotel along with Home Office staff.
The coach's tyres had been deflated, while the group also appeared to be using Lime bikes to prevent the vehicle from moving.
Cops were called to the scene at around 8.40am, with a statement later cofnirming "a number of people" had been arrested.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Police were called at around 8.40am to reports of a group of protesters near a hotel in Peckham Road.
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";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 added: "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."
Migrants refusing to board Bibby Stockholm slammed by ministers – who told them ‘It’s not an a la carte menu’
A spokesman for the Home Office also said: "This behaviour is intimidatory and aggressive.
"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.
"We have returned 150 hotels to local communities and we work closely with accommodation providers to manage the exit process in a way which limits the impact on local authorities and asylum seeker."
It comes as more than 700 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats yesterday making it the busiest day for arrivals so far this year.
Official Home Office figures show 711 people made the dangerous journey in 14 boats on the day the first detentions were made for those set to be flown to Rwanda.
Crossings are already at a record high for the start of the year with yesterday’s numbers taking the total to 8278.
Detentions are continuing this week with people held as they turn up to routine immigration appointments or in raids at their accommodation.
The Home Office has refused to reveal exactly how many have been detained so far but said the cohort included both men and women.
A Home Office statement added: "The unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel demonstrates exactly why we must get flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible.
"We continue to work closely with French police who are facing increasing violence and disruption on their beaches as they work tirelessly to prevent these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary journeys.
"We remain committed to building on the successes that saw arrivals drop by more than a third last year, including tougher legislation and agreements with international partners, in order to save lives and stop the boats."
A spokesman for No 10 said: "[The Prime Minister] would urge people to allow Home Office enforcement officers to carry out their duties.
"He obviously fully supports the authorities and the police to do what is necessary to ensure that the operation is able to be carried out successfully."
On the Rwanda scheme he added: "The Prime Minister’s message is that the reason we have introduced this scheme is because we want to provide a deterrent and stop the people smuggling gangs from exploiting people and risking lives as people make these dangerous journeys across the channel - we want to put an end to that, we want to stop the boats and that is what this scheme is designed to do."
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Hundreds of migrants have been moved to the Bibby Stockholm while their asylum claims are processed since it was opened in August.
Asylum seekers have previously been told they face being made homeless if they refuse to move out of taxpayer-funded hotels and onto the vessel.
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