Bibby Stockholm coach driver ‘arrested for gesticulating at protesters’

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The driver of a coach due to take asylum seekers to the Bibby Stockholm barge was arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence after “gesticulating” at protesters blocking its way, a court has heard.

Police were made aware of people obstructing a coach which was parked outside a Best Western Hotel in Peckham, south-east London, at about 8.30am on May 2 2024, Croydon Magistrates’ Court was told.

After allegedly being spotted “gesticulating racially” towards protesters who had surrounded the coach, the driver was removed and arrested by police, the court heard.

The driver and two staff members who were also onboard, were believed to be Home Office contractors, the trial heard.

A police officer qualified to drive the coach had to be brought in specially to move it from the scene, the court was told.

The detail emerged during the trial of protester Callum Goode, 24, who is alleged to have stopped police vehicles carrying suspects.

No asylum seekers were on the coach at the time of the protest, the court was told.

Goode of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, denies wilful obstruction of a highway.

Questioned by Katie McFadden, defending, Superintendent Matt Cox said the coach driver, who was not named, had been spotted “gesticulating racially” from within the coach, and was arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence.

Prosecutor Suleman Hussain said the protesters had “caused significant disruption”.

“They said they would not leave until they had written notice from the Home Office that no transfer would take place,” he said.

Police became aware that one of the tyres on the coach had been deflated and said a decision was made for officers to try and get in between the protesters and the vehicle, the court was told.

When protesters refused to move, officers started making arrests before moving people into police carriers, the court heard.

About 60 protesters began to surround three police carriers which suspects were being placed inside, bringing traffic on the road to a “standstill”, Mr Cox said.

The protesters completely blocked the road for around two hours, and the police vehicles were “trapped”, the officer added.

The trial continues.