Sheffield coach company targeted by protestors says staff have faced "abuse" over Home Office contract
“We would like to thank our staff, some of whom, through absolutely no fault of their own, have suffered significant abuse from members of the general public”
A coach company targeted by masked protestors in Sheffield has revealed that staff have “suffered significant abuse” due to a Home Office contract.
Lindburg Coaches, on Catley Road in Darnall, was one of a number of locations targeted in what police have described as a “nationally co-ordinated gathering” on Sunday, October 11.
Large groups dressed all in black, some wearing balaclavas with others sporting face paint, appeared outside the company’s Sheffield depot as early as 5.30am and left daubed graffiti on the floor claiming they had “blood” on their hands.
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It is understood the gathering was organised by Patriot Protest in response to allegations that the company provided services to the Home Office to transport asylum seekers.
The company has revealed that BM Coaches - the south east division of Lindburg - deployed two coaches to be on standby in southern England on September 20.
In a statement on their website, Lindburg Coaches added: “Those two coaches were not called upon to actually do any work for the Home Office until the weekend of September 31/October 1.
“Following careful consideration of recent incidents and the increased sensitivity surrounding the provision of transport services connected to the Home Office, we can confirm that the provision of vehicles provided by BM Coaches was ceased on Wednesday, October 7.”
The group claim that staff have suffered abuse due to this work.
The statement continues: “The group has no plans to undertake any further transport services commissioned through these arrangements.
“Our focus remains on delivering our core services safely, professionally, and in line with our organisational values and responsibilities.
“We would like to thank our staff, some of whom, through absolutely no fault of their own, have suffered significant abuse from members of the general public, for their continued support and dedication to serving our many and much valued clients.
“Our thanks also to other operators, and partners for their understanding and continued support.”