Three arrested at latest protest outside Essex hotel used to house migrants
Sunday saw the latest in a series of demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
Protesters waved union flags, while Stand Up To Racism counter-protesters marched to the hotel with signs reading: 'Stop scapegoating refugees and migrants'.
A 52-year-old man from Loughton was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence - it is understood the arrest was in connection with abuse being shouted towards counter-protesters.
A 53-year-old woman, also from Loughton, was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence connected with a previous protest, and it is understood she was part of the protest against the use of the hotel.
A 27-year-old woman from Deptford was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and a public order offence, and it is understood she was part of the counter-protest.
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Essex Police Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'I want to thank those who attended for the peaceful nature of both protests.
'Our role is to ensure that you can express your democratic right to protest safely and lawfully and we had a proportionate and robust plan in place to ensure that could happen.
'I am pleased that today has passed off without incident and I am grateful to our colleagues from other forces for their support.'
Essex Police said it had established protest restrictions due to repeated serious disruption, violence, and harm to the community during previous demonstrations.
A dispersal order was in effect from 12pm on Sunday until 8am on Monday, covering Epping town centre and nearby transport hubs.
Both sets of protesters were kept separated by fences.
Essex Police said that residents have reported feeling 'trapped', fearful of leaving their homes and anxious about protest activity previously.
Hotel residents and staff have been advised to remain indoors after 5pm as some have experienced verbal and physical harassment, including a resident chased and injured while returning to the hotel, the force added.
The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, with sexual assault after he allegedly attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
He denied the charge at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court and will stand trial in August.
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