Protesters Gather In Epping As Bottles And Flares Are Thrown

Aimee Dexter

BBC News, Essex

Greg Mckenzie

BBC News, Essex

There have been a number of demonstrations outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, believed to be housing asylum seekers

PA Media A group of mostly male protesters, some standing on the back of flatbed truck with a white cab. Some are wearing caps or face coverings, while others point their mobile phone cameras towards the photographer. The air is smoky from flares and plumes of blue smoke are rising up from the crowd — There have been a number of demonstrations outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, believed to be housing asylum seekers

Bottles and smoke flares have been thrown towards police vehicles during a protest at a hotel used to house asylum seekers.

More than 1,000 people have gathered at the site of the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, after a protest was organised for 18:00 BST.

Essex Police said one person had been arrested and was being taken into custody. The disorder followed the arrest and charge of an asylum seeker last week on suspicion of alleged sexual assaults in the town.

Unrest at the site on Thursday led to three arrests, with plans for the latest protest prompting the force to announce a section 60AA order requiring the removal of face coverings would remain in place until Monday.

Demonstrators chanted “send them home” and “save our kids”, as projectiles were thrown towards police vans blocking the entrance to the hotel.

Many had travelled from across the UK, with one woman from Scotland telling the BBC she felt compelled to “support local people and get the asylum seekers out”.

Police also surrounded a counter-protester, an elderly woman, before escorting her out of the area as masked protesters followed her and shouted abuse.

Essex Police was aware of a planned protest at the site from 18:00 BST on Sunday and had an order in place which allowed for the removal of face coverings

PA Media crowd of people - some wearing masks - gathering - some are sitting on top of cars or looking at their phones. It is a bright sunny evening — Essex Police was aware of a planned protest at the site from 18:00 BST on Sunday and had an order in place which allowed for the removal of face coverings

Protesters carrying banners at the demonstration in Epping on Sunday evening

Greg McKenzie/BBC A line of women holding handmade cardboard banners, saying "Make Epping Safe Again" and "I'm not far right, I'm worried about my kids". Some are wearing sunglasses. The banners also bear hearts and England flags — Protesters carrying banners at the demonstration in Epping on Sunday evening

The Section 60AA order comes after police said the protest on Thursday had involved people wearing face coverings and “committing serious acts of disorder”. Eight police officers were injured.

One man was earlier charged with violent disorder and criminal damage following previous clashes outside the hotel.

A spokesperson for the force added: “We will deal robustly and quickly with anyone intent on coming into Epping to commit selfish criminal behaviour.

“The right to peaceful protest is protected by law and allows everyone freedom of expression, but this must be done respectfully and if there is a risk to public order we will act appropriately.”

The order is in place around Epping including its tube station.

There is a heavy police presence in the area

PA Media A group of police officers in fluorescent tabards speaking into talkback devices and holding riot helmets - there is a large police van in the background at the entrance to a building with a Bell Hotel sign — There is a heavy police presence in the area

Thursday’s demonstration was one of a series of protests outside the hotel since 38-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexual assault – after an incident where he is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl.

He denied the charge when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Source link