‘Refugees are welcome here!’: Peckham protesters arrested after blocking asylum seeker coach headed to Bibby Stockholm [Video]

Dozens of protesters wearing face coverings surrounded the vehicle outside the Best Western in Peckham Road around 8.40am on Thursday, and were still there after 1pm.

A large number of police officers were pictured at the scene on Thursday afternoon, and the Met said protesters had been warned they could be arrested.

After a surge of officers arrived, the protesters were removed from around the coach, but they then blocked the road.

Video taken on Thursday morning showed an apparently peaceful protest, with activists surrounding the coach with linked arms, chanting “say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here”.

Lime bikes were placed under the wheels of the coach to stop it moving.

There were also unconfirmed reports the coach’s tyres had been slashed.

By the afternoon, crowds were seated on the ground around the coach and dozens of police officers were at the scene, …