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| Essex asylum hotel protest turned into mindless thuggery, say police | Essex asylum hotel protest turned into mindless thuggery, say police |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| There have been a number of demonstrations outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, believed to be housing asylum seekers | There have been a number of demonstrations outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, believed to be housing asylum seekers |
| Six people have been arrested following the latest protest outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Essex. | Six people have been arrested following the latest protest outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Essex. |
| Bottles and smoke flares were thrown towards police vehicles during the demonstration which saw more than 1,000 people gathered outside the Bell Hotel in Epping. | Bottles and smoke flares were thrown towards police vehicles during the demonstration which saw more than 1,000 people gathered outside the Bell Hotel in Epping. |
| Ch Supt Simon Anslow said it was disappointing to see the protest escalate into "mindless thuggery". | Ch Supt Simon Anslow said it was disappointing to see the protest escalate into "mindless thuggery". |
| The disorder followed the arrest and charge of an asylum seeker last week on suspicion of alleged sexual assaults in the town. | The disorder followed the arrest and charge of an asylum seeker last week on suspicion of alleged sexual assaults in the town. |
| Downing Street said the scenes at Epping were "clearly unacceptable". | Downing Street said the scenes at Epping were "clearly unacceptable". |
| The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, but it's clearly unacceptable to see police coming under attack as they ensure that peaceful protest is able to take place." | The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, but it's clearly unacceptable to see police coming under attack as they ensure that peaceful protest is able to take place." |
| He said people who protested peacefully, lawfully and responsibly "cause us and the wider public no concern". | He said people who protested peacefully, lawfully and responsibly "cause us and the wider public no concern". |
| The six protesters have been kept in police custody: | The six protesters have been kept in police custody: |
| A 16-year-old from south London was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to cause criminal damage | A 16-year-old from south London was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to cause criminal damage |
| A 36-year-old man from Epping and a 47-year-old man from Waltham Abbey in Essex were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder under Section 2 of the Public Order Act | A 36-year-old man from Epping and a 47-year-old man from Waltham Abbey in Essex were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder under Section 2 of the Public Order Act |
| A 51-year-old man from Epping was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder under Section 2 of the Public Order Act | A 51-year-old man from Epping was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder under Section 2 of the Public Order Act |
| A 34-year-old man from Wickford in Essex was arrested on suspicion of breaching a Section 60AA, which was put in place to give police powers to force people to remove face coverings | A 34-year-old man from Wickford in Essex was arrested on suspicion of breaching a Section 60AA, which was put in place to give police powers to force people to remove face coverings |
| A 17-year-old man from North Weald in Essex was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a vehicle | A 17-year-old man from North Weald in Essex was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a vehicle |
| Police officers from Norfolk and Suffolk were drafted in to help police the protests on Sunday, and one officer from Norfolk was struck on the face with a bottle. | Police officers from Norfolk and Suffolk were drafted in to help police the protests on Sunday, and one officer from Norfolk was struck on the face with a bottle. |
| He was treated in hospital and has since been discharged. | He was treated in hospital and has since been discharged. |
| "Our cells, which have been filling up throughout the evening, are ready for you," Ch Supt Anslow warned in a statement. | "Our cells, which have been filling up throughout the evening, are ready for you," Ch Supt Anslow warned in a statement. |
| "I think I speak for all of us – including the people of Epping – when I say we've had enough of your criminality." | "I think I speak for all of us – including the people of Epping – when I say we've had enough of your criminality." |
| Police put in place a Section 35 dispersal order to "prevent further crime or anti-social behaviour" overnight. | Police put in place a Section 35 dispersal order to "prevent further crime or anti-social behaviour" overnight. |
| Demonstrators on Sunday chanted "send them home" and "save our kids", as projectiles were thrown towards police vans blocking the entrance to the hotel. | Demonstrators on Sunday 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". | 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. | 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 had an order in place which gave officers the power to force people to remove face coverings | Essex Police had an order in place which gave officers the power to force people to remove face coverings |
| Protesters carrying banners at the demonstration in Epping on Sunday evening | Protesters carrying banners at the demonstration in Epping on Sunday evening |
| Unrest at the site on Thursday led to three arrests after eight police officers were injured. | Unrest at the site on Thursday led to three arrests after eight police officers were injured. |
| Plans for Sunday's protest prompted Essex Police to announce a section 60AA order requiring the removal of face coverings until 04:00 on Monday. | Plans for Sunday's protest prompted Essex Police to announce a section 60AA order requiring the removal of face coverings until 04:00 on Monday. |
| One man was earlier charged with violent disorder and criminal damage following previous clashes outside the hotel. | 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. | 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. | |
| Neil Hudson, the town's Conservative MP, told the House of Commons the demonstrations had been "challenging and distressing" for the police. | |
| He said churches had cancelled services, businesses had closed early and residents felt like they were "barricaded" in their own homes. | |
| "People quite rightly have the right to peaceful protest, but these violent scenes are not us. They are not Epping," said Hudson. | |
| He renewed the same call he made last week, for the government to "close this hotel immediately". | |
| There is a heavy police presence in the area | There is a heavy police presence in the area |
| Thursday's demonstration was one of a series of protests outside the hotel since 41-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. | Thursday's demonstration was one of a series of protests outside the hotel since 41-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. | He denied the charge when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Thursday. |
| Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. | Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. |
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