Total arrests at Epping asylum hotel protests rises to 16

BBC News

24-07-2025

The number of people arrested in connection with protests outside a hotel housing asylum seekers has risen to 16.More than 1,000 people have attended demonstrations at The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, on 13, 17 and 20 July.Essex Police chief Ben-Julian Harrington said "thugs and vandals" hijacked the second protest, leading to missiles being thrown between rival groups.The force warned that more suspects were being identified, adding: "There will be more arrests in the coming days."
People causing trouble have been accused of exploiting what had been a peaceful protest on 17 July.Action has been staged at the hotel since a man living there was charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.Hadush Kebatu, 41, from Ethiopia, has denied the offences and remains on remand in custody.
Of the 16 arrested, six people have been charged with offences including violent disorder, criminal damage and refusing to remove a face covering."We've been analysing footage and we have investigators and trained detectives working on this operation," said Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper."Put simply: If you turn up to try to cause trouble, you won't get away with it."A dispersal order was imposed until 08:00 BST on Friday in response to further planned protests.It gave officers extra powers to direct people to leave the area or face arrest.Eleanor Laing, who was the Conservative MP for Epping Forest until 2024, called for calm during a speech in the House of Lords.Now known as Baroness Laing of Elderslie, she urged politicians to calm the "riotous situation" and stop peddling "misinformation" about the protests.
It followed Mr Harrington rebutting criticism aimed at his officers over how they dealt with pro-migrant protesters.They were accused of driving the group to the hotel, leading to disorder and later attracting outrage from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.However, Mr Harrington dismissed allegations that his officers had inflamed tensions or given preferential treatment to one side.Epping Forest District Council is due to debate the hotel's use for asylum seekers at a meeting on Thursday evening.
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