A large group of demonstrators, many with their faces covered, surrounded the vehicle and linked arms near the Best Western Hotel in Peckham, southeast London, earlier in the day.

Several people sat down in the road in front of the coach, which had a flat tyre, and some demonstrators were removed by officers.

Police said they were called at around 8.40am to reports of people obstructing a coach, which was parked outside the hotel.

The Metropolitan Police said a number of people were arrested for offences including obstruction of the highway and one person was arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence.

They were taken into custody, the Met Police added.

In footage, protesters could be heard chanting "no borders, no nations, stop deportations".

Sky News correspondent Sadiya Chowdhury, reporting from the scene, said the incident was "descending into utter chaos".

She said it was believed the coach had now left without any of the asylum seekers it was meant to take to the barge.

"Protesters surrounded that coach, they didn't let it leave. Eventually, when it did leave, it left empty," Chowdhury said.

As for the seven asylum seekers reportedly listed for removal to the barge, Chowdhury said it was thought they were "in and amongst this crowd".

Many protesters who were removed earlier in the day appeared to be returning to the area.

The Bibby Stockholm, moored at Portland in Dorset, has been used since last August as ministers sought to find alternatives to hotel accommodation for those waiting for decisions on their asylum applications.

But the vessel has been plagued with issues - including an outbreak of Legionella bacteria on board - and in December, police confirmed one of the people on board had died, with reports suggesting the man had taken his own life.

In February, MPs warned of "claustrophobic" conditions on board the vessel which could amount to a breach of asylum seekers' human rights.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said on Thursday: "Housing migrants in hotels costs the British taxpayer millions of pounds every day.

"We will not allow this small group of students, posing for social media, to deter us from doing what is right for the British public."

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In a statement posted on X, the Metropolitan Police said: "Police were called at around 8.40am to reports of a group of protesters near a hotel in Peckham Road SE15.

"There were reports that a coach had been obstructed by people and bicycles."

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: "My officers were quickly on scene and have engaged with the protesters at length.

"They have warned the group that they could be arrested."