Police in Epping, Essex have put strict rules in place as tensions rise outside a hotel housing migrants. The new restrictions are meant to stop further violence and protect the local community after recent protests turned aggressive and dangerous.
The Bell Hotel has been the centre of ongoing protests since an asylum seeker was charged with trying to kiss a 14-year-old girl. While anti-migrant protesters plan another demonstration this Sunday, the group Stand Up to Racism will hold a counter-protest from 2pm.
Essex Police say these actions are necessary due to past violence. They have banned face coverings at the protest site and created designated protest areas opposite the hotel. A dispersal order will be active from 12pm on Sunday to 8am Monday, allowing officers to remove anyone causing trouble in Epping town centre and nearby transport areas.
Police say residents are living in fear and feel “trapped” in their homes due to the ongoing protests. Some hotel residents and staff have also been verbally and physically attacked. In one case, a hotel resident was chased and injured.
Earlier protests on July 13, 17, 20, and 24 turned violent. Essex Police reported that their officers were attacked, objects were thrown, vehicles were damaged, and the hotel suffered broken windows and graffiti.
The force has already arrested and charged several individuals. On Saturday, police charged two more men. Lee Gower, 43, from High Street, Epping, was charged with violent disorder and assaulting a police officer. He is now in custody and was due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court. Another man, Joshua Meadows, 18, from Sunnyside Road, was charged with refusing to remove an item of clothing and having cannabis. He was released on bail and will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court in September.
So far, Essex Police has charged 10 people in relation to the protests.
The protest was triggered after 38-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was accused of trying to kiss a 14-year-old girl. He has denied the charge and will face trial in August at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court.
Elsewhere, similar protests have taken place. In Bowthorpe, near Norwich, there was a peaceful protest outside another hotel housing migrants. Last week, police in Norfolk arrested two men in their 20s after protests in Diss and Bowthorpe. There were also protests near the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf, which is said to be another location for asylum seekers.
Police are urging all groups to protest peacefully and respect the rights of others while they continue to monitor the safety of both local people and migrants.