London protest: Mob descends in bid to stop bus from taking migrants to Bibby barge

The Metropolitan Police has issued a comment to Express.co.uk on today's protests outside Driscoll House in South London.

A spokesperson said: "Officers are remaining at a protest in New Kent Road, SE1.

"No arrests have been made."

Driscoll House is a building at 172 New Kent Road, London, England.

It has operated as a hostel since 1913.

Illegal migrants are now housed there.

Between 400 and 500 asylum seekers were living in the building during the Covid the pandemic - but there were concerns raised it wasn't safe.

A police van in circling as campaigners remain steadfast at the South London location to rally against illegal migrants being taken to Bibby Stockholm.

A reporter at the scene said: "Police van doing the rounds on side streets.

"Has piqued the interest of the protestors.

"Currently appears to be parked down a cul-de-sac (John Maurice Close)."

Express.co.uk has approached both the Metropolitan Police and the Home Office for comment on the protests.

We will publish them as soon as we have a repsonse.

One protester, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Express.co.uk: "We're really happy with how it's gone so far obviously we stopped them this morning and we'll do it again, it's a nice day so we're not worried how long we have to hang about."

Express reporter Casey Cooper-Fiske is currently at the scene and said the crowd has grown considerably since earlier this morning.

"I'd say there's around 50-60 people there now," he said. "Some are standing in the road and others are in the park behind.

"They are handing out masks and snacks - cereal bars and water - to each other."

Here are fresh images of the hostel - Driscoll House - in South London that is being used to house illegal migrants.

The pictures have been snapped by our reporter at the scene - Casey Cooper-Fiske.

Cops at the scene of south London Bibby protests have gathered at a nearby Esso petrol station as they wait to see if they're needed.

The man who'd clambered on top of a wall of the hostel housing illegal immigrants is now down...

A police helicopter has been snapped circling above the Bibby protests in south London.

The image was taken by our reporter Casey Cooper-Fiske who is at the scene where there around 50 protestors.

Express reporter Casey Cooper-Fiske is at the scene of the protests in south London.

He has spoken to a protestor who has explained their reason for being there today.

They said: "We don't know what time they're coming but we know it's happening today, we're just trying to do something good to help people who really need us right now, we know that where they're taking them isn't fit to live in."

Gates to the hostel housing illegal migrants "have been opened".

Protestors gathered on either side of them at the moment, reports MyLondon.

They are hoping to prevent a coach due to take the migrants to Bibby Stockholm in Dorset.

A protestor who has clambered on a wall during Bibby protests in south London has been told to get down by police.

He is standing on the wall where the illegal migrants who are destined for Bibby Stockholm are being housed.

Police have arrived at the scene where Bibby Stockholm protests are taking place.

Below police are seen talking to some of the protestors who have gathered to try and stop a bus of illegal immigrants leaving the location in south London to the barge in Dorset.

Our reporter Casey Cooper-Fiske is now at the scene and has shared a photo of protestors gathered there.

A mob of protestors that has descended on south London this morning to try and stop illegal migrants being taken to Bibby Stockholm were told to "wear masks."

A campaign group called Southwark & Lambeth Anti-Raids which says it resists immigration raids in the area posted the request on social media site X.

They said: "Bring your friends, water, noise and masks."

A campaign group has said they are not moving from Driscoll House until the removal of illegal migrants has been cancelled.

Southwark & Lambeth Anti-Raids is a group which says its purpose is to resisting immigration raids in the area.

It posted on social media platform X today saying they won't move until the transfer of illegal migrants to the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset has been cancelled.

They wrote:

"UPDATE: Residents inside Driscoll House Hotel are being told the removal is happening. We’re staying here until we know their removal has been cancelled.

"If you’re not here, please be on standby for when they attempt the removal.

"Hands off our neighbours."

The use of Bibby Stockholm to house illegal migrants has sparked controversy since it was first announced in summer last year.

Ministers are now under intense pressure to stop housing Channel migrants in hotel rooms.

Taxpayers are shelling out around £8-million-per-day for rooms for asylum seekers.

So the Government wants to house more migrants on the Bibby Stockholm asylum barge and in former military bases to cut costs and ease tensions in communities.

But activist groups have vowed to desperately try and prevent the Government from removing asylum seekers from taxpayer-funded hotel rooms.

An equality impact assessment conducted by the Home Office said that the policy breaks the 2010 Equality Act on two grounds.

The report published in December said the policy is "directly discriminating" in relation to age and sex and said changes might be needed.

James Cleverly warned “no amount of chanting, drum banging or tyre-slashing” will prevent the Government from ending the use of hotels for migrants.

The Metropolitan Police said 45 people were arrested after blocking a coach trying to take asylum seekers from the Best Western Hotel in Peckham to the Bibby Stockholm asylum barge, in Dorset, on May 2.

The Home Secretary insisted demonstrations – described as “intimidatory and aggressive” – will not prevent “us from doing what is right for the British public”.

Around 50 protestors are surrouding a bus if illegal migrants set to take them to Bibby Stockholm.

A reporter at the scene said: "Around 50ish people still gathered around Driscoll House."

You can see the full tweet below.

Protesters attempt to stop bus carrying migrants leaving London hotel just over a week ago in Peckham.

Violence erupted between police and protestors after a mob blocked a coach sent to collect migrants bound for the Bibby Stockholm barge.

Scores of people blocked the vehicle in Peckham this morning, surrounding it on all sides, with police deployed to break up the demonstration.

The Met Police said officers made 45 arrests.

Bibby Stockholm is an engineless barge that is currently being used as an accommodation vessel for illegal migrants.

Its name comes from the shipping and marine operations company that owns it - which is Bibby Line.

It is located in Dorset.

Reports on social media say that water is now being distributed to those who have surrounded a bus set to take illegal migrants to Bibby Stockholm barge.

This is Driscoll House where today's protests are unfolding.

A mob of protestors have descended at the scene to try and stop bus taking illegal migrants to the Bibby barge.

Fresh images are coming in from the scene of the protests this morning.

This photo shows police at the scene.

Protestors have started a chant of “Refugees have a right".

The chant continues: "Here to stay, here to fight,” reports MyLondon.

Hi.

I'm reporter Mieka Smiles and I'll be bringing you the latest on this live event.

If you have information to share you can tweet me @miekasmiles or email me - mieka.smiles@reach.plc.com

The protest is taking place outside Driscoll House on New Kent Road in south London.

At least 30 protesters have blocked a coach bound for the Bibby Stockholm from taking migrants.

Police are at the scene on New Kent Road, south London, but have reportedly been told to stand down temporarily.

It comes just over a week after a similar mob stopped asylum seekers from being taken to the barge from Peckham, outside the Best Western Hotel.

45 people were arrested and a number of officers assaulted as violence erupted from the huge crowd.

Express.co.uk are on their way to the scene. More to follow.

Good morning from London. We'll be bringing you all the latest updates as a group of protesters have blocked a bus meant to be taking migrants to the Bibby Stockholm.

Police are at the scene on New Kent Road, south London. More to follow.