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Escorting Epping protesters was a safety decision - Essex Police Essex Police denies taking pro-migrant protesters to asylum hotel
(about 2 hours later)
Police previously said officers had been attacked during protestsPolice previously said officers had been attacked during protests
Escorting pro-refugee protesters to demonstrations outside an asylum hotel was a "public safety decision", a police force said. A police force has denied it "bussed" pro-refugee protesters to a demonstration outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.
Officers were filmed escorting about 50 people to and from the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, on 17 July. Essex Police said it was "categorically wrong" to suggest officers inflamed tensions during a protest at The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, on 17 July.
The group went on to clash with rival protesters calling for the hotel to stop housing asylum seekers, leading to eight constables being injured. The pro-refugee group went on to clash with rival protesters, with Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington condemning the "thugs and vandals" responsible.
Essex Police denied "collaborating" with those supporting the hotel occupants and said it was standard practice to facilitate a lawful protest. Essex Police said ten arrests have been made during the protests after eight police officers and two members of hotel staff were injured.
The force is due to hold a press conference later, explaining its policing of the demonstrations. More than 1,000 people have attended demonstrations across 13, 17 and 20 July after an asylum seeker was charged with sexual offences, which he has denied.
More than 1,000 people have attended protests across 13, 17 and 20 July. Ben-Julian Harrington told journalists that Epping had been targeted by a minority of "thugs and vandals"
Police were accused of "giving protesters lifts" to the demonstration Mr Harrington said the protests began peacefully but "escalated to the point of disorder and criminal damage".
A police spokesman said the officers would not stop the counter-protesters attending the hotel, so chose to escort them there in an effort to prevent clashes. But claims about counter-demonstrators being driven to the protests by officers led to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage calling for the chief constable to resign.
They were later accused of "giving protesters lifts" when taking them to a line of waiting vans after disorder broke out, which involved objects being thrown. He accused Essex Police of being "absolutely disgraceful" in how it handled clashes between rival protesters, which led to missiles being thrown.
But the spokesman insisted officers had to act "on the ground at that moment" to ensure they could concentrate on policing the situation. However, a spokesman for the force said the claims were "categorically wrong".
The counter-protesters were taken to a side street and police blocked Epping High Street with their vehicles. "Officers did provide a foot cordon around protesters on their way to the protest, where they and others were allowed to exercise their right to protest," he said.
"Later, some people who were clearly at risk of being hurt were also escorted by vehicle away from the area for their safety."
'Unacceptable violence'
Four men have been charged with violent disorder in connection to the protests on 17 July.Four men have been charged with violent disorder in connection to the protests on 17 July.
One was also accused of criminally damaging a hotel sign, while a fifth man was accused of refusing to remove a face covering. One of them was also accused of criminally damaging a hotel sign, while a fifth man was accused of refusing to remove a face covering.
Officers have been injured while policing protests at The Bell Hotel, Essex Police said In an update to the gathered media in Chelmsford, Essex, Mr Harrington thanked people who had behaved "peacefully and lawfully".
But he added: "What has been unacceptable has been the people who have come to Epping and committed violence, who have attacked people who work at the hotel, who have attacked officers, who have damaged property and who have caused fear and disruption to the people of Epping."
Police have been accused of "giving protesters lifts" to the demonstration
The chief constable said there was a robust operation in place ahead of future protests advertised online.
He urged people not to spread misinformation online, insisting it had "real world consequences".
The demonstrations followed a man living in the hotel being charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.The demonstrations followed a man living in the hotel being charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.
Hadush Kebatu, 41, from Ethiopia, has denied the offences and was remanded in custody during a hearing on Thursday.Hadush Kebatu, 41, from Ethiopia, has denied the offences and was remanded in custody during a hearing on Thursday.
Protests have also been staged outside the Britannia International Hotel in London's Canary Wharf after it was designated as asylum accommodation.Protests have also been staged outside the Britannia International Hotel in London's Canary Wharf after it was designated as asylum accommodation.
Andrew Wood, a former Tower Hamlets Conservative councillor, told the BBC the hotel became asylum housing within the past few days.Andrew Wood, a former Tower Hamlets Conservative councillor, told the BBC the hotel became asylum housing within the past few days.
The Home Office refused to confirm if that was true, but denied rumours on social media that migrants from the Bell Hotel were being moved there. The Home Office refused to confirm if that was true, but denied rumours on social media that migrants from The Bell Hotel were being moved there.
However, a spokesman for Tower Hamlets Council said: "We are aware of the government's decision to use the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers."However, a spokesman for Tower Hamlets Council said: "We are aware of the government's decision to use the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers."
Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.