In London, 45 individuals were arrested during a protest against the relocation of asylum seekers to a barge off southern England. Demonstrators in Peckham attempted to halt a bus transporting asylum seekers by deflating its tires and encircling it, Reuters reported.
The British government, under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, aims to reduce costs associated with housing migrants in hotels during asylum processing by utilizing barges and former military sites. However, critics have denounced the Bibby Stockholm barge, likening it to a prison ship due to its conditions.
Several police officers were assaulted during the Peckham protest, though none sustained serious injuries. Arrests were made for various offenses, including obstructing police and assaulting officers.
