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Kate Plummer
Jun 12, 2022
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Viral videos show the moment a man accused of immigration offences was released by police after hundreds of protesters blocked a van he was in.
The footage was captured in Peckham south London, on Saturday afternoon and shows a crowd of people sitting on the ground in front of the vehicle, chanting “let him go”.
Other videos posted online showed the crowd cheering and chanting “shame on you” as officers left the scene while others accuse the police of behaving violently with the crowds.
Eleanor Janega, 39, from south-east London, told the PA news agency: “We were alerted that there was an immigration raid in process so locals came down to block it.
“We had been sitting here blocking the van and having ice lollies. They brought more police in and tried to break through the crowd by pushing us. We all sat down.”
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Here are a few videos from the scene:
\u201c\u201cDon\u2019t come back to Peckham!\u201d A walk of shame for police and immigration enforcement officers, leaving the estate after releasing the person they detained. Community solidarity works.\u201d— joseph (@joseph) 1654965080
\u201cHeavy handed response by police officers to protesters in Peckham blocking an immigration raid is shocking. The response by @metpoliceuk to peaceful protestors sitting on the ground should not be violence. We must defend the right to protest.\u201d— Miatta Fahnbulleh (@Miatta Fahnbulleh) 1655020992
\u201cPolice immigration raid in our ward NOW.\n\nI\u2019m here with over 100 others. Block the van from taking one of our neighbours - come and join us now on Evan Cook Close SE15!\n\n\u201d— Reginald Popoola (@Reginald Popoola) 1654958898
A Met Police spokesperson confirmed a man arrested on suspicion of immigration offences had been released from the van and is currently on bail.
In a statement, the force said: “Police were called to Evan Cook Close, SE15, on Saturday, 11 June, shortly after 1.30pm to a report of protesters obstructing immigration officers.
“Officers attended and found a van was being prevented from leaving the location. One man has been arrested by Border Force officers on suspicion of immigration offences. Officers remain at the scene.”
A Home Office spokesperson told the Independent: “The government is tackling illegal immigration and the harm it causes, often to the most vulnerable people, by removing those with no right to be in the UK. The operation in Southwark was conducted in relation to suspected immigration offences.
“Preventing immigration enforcement teams from doing their job is unacceptable. Blocking or obstructing them will not deter them from undertaking the duties that the public rightly expect them to carry out.”
indy100 has contacted the Met.
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