Inside the Bibby Stockholm barge to house asylum seekers – with 24/7 security, 20ft high fences and metal bunk beds
20-foot-high security fences and a heavy metal gate manned by police surround the Bibby Stockholm – this isn’t a floating prison, the government stress – but it certainly feels like one when you arrive.
As we walk up the gangway, it’s clear to see the barge isn’t ready yet. The final electrics are being wired, licks of paint being applied.
The vast majority of the 200 bedrooms being used are twin (there are some four and six berth rooms) – all contain metal bunk beds, a TV and are en suite.
Towels and a bar of soap have been placed on each mattress. The rooms are basic and functional.
The asylum seekers can come and go via a dedicated bus into Weymouth – but the government’s aim is to minimise the need to leave – so there are plenty of things to do on board.
The gangway up to the Bibby Stockholm
Large fences and security cameras aboard the Bibby Stockholm
Cream leather sofas fill the movie and TV room, there are treadmills and weights in the gym and an IT room where there’ll be a PC for every 20 people.
Inside in the middle of the barge are two outdoor courtyards – they’ve been painted green and will soon be kitted out with basketball hoops and picnic benches.
Those in charge say activities provided locally may include hiking, football and giving the asylum seekers allotments to tend to. Tickets to watch football and cricket are also on the cards.
A living area aboard the Bibby Stockholm
A gym area on the barge
The canteen on the Bibby Stockholm
There will be 24/7 security – with up to 16 security guards on shift.
A number of medical rooms will be staffed by a full-time nurse and part-time GP to ensure local NHS services are protected, with £1,900 per occupied bed being provided for health provision.
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In the canteen, the menus on the wall list meals such as oriental kofta, chicken kabsa, fish curry and Egyptian beef with potato – we’re told the aim is to source local produce.
Essentially the barge feels like a dated ferry. Fine for a night or two, but up to nine months with 499 others may be a different matter.
Each room has a small TV
Balancing basic facilities with at least some luxuries is an almost impossible challenge for the government. Provide nothing and this barge could be a tinderbox, but every pound spent is scrutinised amid a cost of living crisis.
As we leave our tour, protestors gather outside the gates.
One Stand Up To Racism campaigner looks at our photos: “Regardless of them having a gym – it’s a prison, isn’t it? Or a slightly glorified version.”
The toilets on the barge
Towels and soap
On the opposite side, The No To The Barge Group gather with placards.
“It’s going to be a tinderbox anyway,” one says.
“You’re putting 500 men, that don’t know each other, into a very small area, have you ever been to Portland in the winter? It’s pretty bleak – there’s going to be issues.”
A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an elderly couple died following a fire at their home in St Helens.
Peter Eric Greener, 77, known as Eric, and his partner Sheila Jackson, 83, were caught in the blaze at their home on South John Street in the early hours of Tuesday.
Mr Greener died on Wednesday, while Ms Jackson died on Thursday.
Eric Greener. Pic: Merseyside Police
Sheila Jackson. Pic: Merseyside Police
Merseyside Police said an accelerant was used to start the fire.
On Sunday, the force said the suspect from St Helens had been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning.
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Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: “Although an arrest has been made, I would like to take this opportunity to remind people to pass on information directly to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers, and not to comment or post in any way which jeopardises this ongoing work.”
DS Wilson said “extensive enquiries” continue.
She added: “And to that end we are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward, particularly if you live in the area of South John Street and recall seeing or hearing anything suspicious at around the time of the incident.
“Please do not assume what you know has already been reported to us, as we can quickly make that assessment.”
UK
How e-bike riders are doing double the speed limit – and many of them work for fast food delivery firms
It’s lunchtime on Birmingham’s New Street.
Close to its many restaurants, food delivery riders are congregating on their bikes.
The area is packed with shoppers and workers.
PC Paige Gartlan is approaching with other officers. She’s on the lookout for illegally modified e-bikes – and she knows she’ll find them here.
“You can physically tell by looking at the bike that it’s generally going to be illegal – the battery pack is taped on to the sides and generally the size of the motor that’s on the back wheel,” she explains.
Sky News has been invited on an operation by West Midlands Police to find these bikes and get them off the streets.
PC Gartlan has been hit by one before. She’s had to tackle a rider to the floor after he drove into her.
Within minutes, she’s spotted a suspicious-looking bike. The rider makes a run for it – followed by plain-clothed officers.
PC Gartlan tests the bike – it’s showing a top speed of 52km/hr on the speedometer – just over 30mph.
PC Paige Gartlan with a seized e-bike
The speed limit for e-bikes in the UK is 15.5mph when using electric power for assistance.
I look up the street and another two riders have been detained. In less than an hour, officers have confiscated four bikes – all were being ridden by fast food delivery drivers.
The commotion is attracting a lot of attention.
“They are dangerous,” Sandra, who has just finished work, tells me.
Demoz had his bike taken by police
She’s stood watching the riders being questioned. She says she’s had near-misses herself and is worried for the safety of the elderly and children.
It’s not just West Midlands police officers here – immigration officials are carrying out checks too. They’re involved in a nationwide operation, which has seen more than 7,000 arrests in the last year – a 50% increase on last year.
Matthew Foster, the immigration enforcement lead officer for the West Midlands, tells me they’ve already found one individual who has entered the UK unlawfully.
“He’s been detained,” he says, “to affect his removal from the UK.”
Further down the street, police are loading illegally modified bikes on to a van – they’re destined to be crushed. One of them had belonged to Demoz.
Read more:
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An e-bike seized by West Midlands Police
He’s on his way home, carrying a big box with the logo of one of the main fast food delivery firms on it.
He tells me he used to have an illegal bike, but he thought his new one was legal.
“I make a mistake, I have to say sorry, I will do better for the future,” he says.
I get in touch with the big delivery firms; Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat.
Their representatives say they constantly remind workers of their safety obligations, and that they’re all working closely with the government to increase security checks on riders.
As he leaves, Demoz, now bike-free, tells me he’s thinking of changing his job.
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