Essex Police arrested six individuals after demonstrations outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping, on the outskirts of London, turned violent on Sunday evening, Euronews reported.
This marked the second protest at the Bell Hotel within four days, occurring amidst local anger concerning a migrant accused of sexual assault.
More than 100 demonstrators, some waving England flags, gathered outside the hotel chanting “Save our kids” and “Send them home.” As night fell, the situation escalated significantly, with flares and projectiles thrown towards police vans positioned to block the hotel entrance. Officers patrolled the area throughout the night after issuing an order for the crowds to disperse.
Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow of Essex Police expressed frustration in a statement:
Disappointingly we have seen yet another protest, which began peacefully, escalate into mindless thuggery with individuals again hurting one of our officers and damaging a police vehicle. For anyone who thinks we will tolerate their thuggery — think again.
Four of those detained on Sunday were arrested in connection with suspected involvement in “violent disorder” during the previous demonstration at the hotel on Thursday. A fifth person was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a police car, and the sixth for being equipped to cause criminal damage.
Before Sunday’s protest, local police had issued an order permitting them to force demonstrators to remove face coverings. They later enforced a dispersal order for the hotel vicinity, which remained effective until 4 am local time (5 am CEST) on Monday.
The initial Thursday protest also began peacefully before descending into violence, leaving eight police officers injured. Police attributed the trouble to individuals from outside the local community who “arrived at the scene intent on causing trouble.”
These incidents were triggered after a 38-year-old asylum seeker was charged with sexual assault, accused of attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. The man, who denies the charges, was remanded in custody following his first court appearance on 10 July.
Chief Superintendent Anslow emphasised the police stance:
We don’t take sides, we arrest criminals and we have a duty to ensure no-one is hurt — plain and simple. I know the people of Essex know what we’re about so I know they won’t believe the rubbish circulating online that is designed to do nothing more than inflame tensions and trouble.
Epping Forest District Council condemned the violence but reiterated its longstanding opposition to the central government’s use of the Bell Hotel for asylum seeker accommodation. Council Leader Chris Whitbread stated last week:
We have consistently shared concerns with the Home Office that the Bell Hotel is an entirely unsuitable location for this facility and should close. We continue to press Home Office officials for the immediate closure of the site and are encouraged that our local MPs are now actively supporting our call.
The protests occur against a backdrop of escalating national tensions over the housing of asylum seekers in hotels. Similar pressures led to days of rioting last month in Northern Ireland following the arrest of teenagers on sexual assault charges.
