Epping council demands government 'immediately' close asylum hotel – as Home Office works to 'restore order'
Epping Forest District Council in Essex passed a motion calling for the Bell Hotel to be "immediately and permanently" closed "for the purposes of asylum processing".
Several demonstrations have been held outside the hotel since 13 July, after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
Police have arrested 18 people and charged seven in connection with the protests.
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At the council meeting, some criticised the disorder that has erupted during some of the protests, as well as the reported involvement of members of the far-right.
Concerns that the hotel is close to a school were also raised.
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, from Ethiopia, denied sexually assaulting the 14-year-old girl at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court last week and will stand trial in August.
Home Office 'working to restore order'
The Home Office has vowed to "restore order," threatening on Friday to make asylum seekers homeless if they refuse a change of accommodation.
It said a new "failure to travel" policy is looking to tackle "non-compliance by asylum seekers" and will ensure individuals who are moved from hotels to suitable alternative accommodation must take it.
Those who refuse to move without a valid reason will now risk losing their housing and support, the Home Office said.
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Dame Angela Eagle, minister for border security and asylum, said: "We are working to close hotels, restore order, and put fairness and value for money at the heart of our asylum system.
"This government is making those necessary decisions to protect the taxpayer and uphold the integrity of our borders."
Asked specifically about the Epping Forest District Council vote, the Home Office said: "We'll continue to work closely with local police and community partners, in Epping and across the country, as we fix this broken system."
Meanwhile, police have launched an appeal to find two men in connection with disorder outside the Bell Hotel last Thursday.
Protests began peacefully but escalated into what police described as "scattered incidents of violence," leaving eight officers injured.
Police are braced for further protests, vowing to act swiftly if unrest spreads.
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