Latest news with #Epping
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Third man is arrested over Essex anti-migrant protest which saw thugs clashing with riot police near asylum hotel after Ethiopian resident was charged over schoolgirl sex attack
A third man has been arrested after violent protests erupted outside an asylum hotel following the arrest of an Ethiopian resident accused of sexually assaulting schoolgirls. A 33-year-old man from Loughton was arrested tonight on suspicion of violent disorder and criminal damage following the incident in Epping, Essex. He is currently in custody where he will be questioned. Hundreds of furious residents gathered outside the Bell Hotel, on Thursday, as it has been operating as an asylum hotel on and off for the last five years. It began peacefully but later blew into violence after a group of hardcore agitators stopped three Essex Police riot vans from driving past the hotel to support their colleagues in the centre of the town. Children in balaclavas joined grown men and women to block the road by standing across it, before protesters started attacking the police vehicles, with some seen hurling projectiles at the vans and officers. It comes after Ethiopian asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was charged with a number of sexual offences. He was arrested by officers on July 8 after reports of a man acting inappropriately towards a number of people. Kebatu appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Thursday, July 10, and denied all offences. He was charged with three counts of sexual assault, as well as one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and one count of harassment without violence. At the protest well-dressed mothers stood side-by-side with retired businessmen and women and dozens of bald tattooed middle-aged men to call for the hotel to stop operating as refugee accommodation. Police say eight officers were assaulted when crowds surrounded a small counter-demonstration. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'The events in Epping on Thursday were shocking and have no place in our neighbourhoods. 'We understand the concerns of the local community and support everyone's right to peaceful protest. 'Unfortunately, across social media we are seeing inflammatory comments which suggest we were supporting and enabling certain protestors. 'This is categorically not true. We police without fear or favour, remaining impartial at all times and have legal responsibilities to ensure peaceful protest is facilitated. Seconds earlier, a police van leading the convoy was seen hurtling through a plastic barrier 'Our priority during the policing of this incident was the safety of everyone there, we used tried and tested public order tactics to achieve this. 'This included keeping opposing protestors apart to avoid violence. The early protest was peaceful, with people expressing their views. 'We will continue to support people to do this, but we will not tolerate anyone who comes with the intent to commit crime or who resort to crime because others present take a different view to them. 'Officers will act robustly and swiftly towards anyone intent on disrupting the local community's right to have their voices heard.' Police on patrol also arrested a man on suspicion of affray, following an assault reported close to The Bell Hotel on Sunday evening. Dean Walters, 65, of Harlow, has been charged and released on bail to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on September 24, with stringent conditions until then. A second person was arrested on Thursday night for failing to comply with orders given around dispersal and remained in custody. Dramatic footage also emerged from the protest which appears to show the moment a demonstrator is driven into by one of the police vehicles. The Essex Police van can be seen knocking over the young man, who stood in Epping High Road, in what appears to be an attempt to stop the vehicle leaving. Protesters had erected a make-shift barrier made up of pallets and plastic fencing in the road to stop police leaving the scene. But the first of four Essex Police vans crashed through the barrier, leading to a protester to stand in the road, who was then knocked out of the way by the second van as people screamed: 'Oh my god' and 'what the f***'. The youth who was mown down by the police van is then seen getting up and brushing himself down as he shouts at the convoy. Another man, who was standing by the side of the road, also fell to the ground during the chaotic clip. Speaking of the incident, ACC Hooper said the video had been reported to the force, but said they had seen another video 'which maybe shows it from a different angle' Essex Police officers, dressed in full riot-gear, can be seen sat in the vehicles - as thugs are seen attacking the vans, kicking and launching missiles at them. Photos from later in the evening show one of the vans with a smashed windscreen, while one masked man is seen jumping up and down on the roof of another police vehicle. They had been among up to 100 officers who battled with anti-migrant protesters who had confronted a counter an anti-racism demonstration. Counter protestors carried placards reading 'Refugees Welcome', but were pelted with bottles, eggs and can and told to 'f*** off out of Epping' by an angry mob. The agitators also threw fireworks and bottles at police as they sought to protect anti-racism counter-demonstrators.
The Guardian
11 hours ago
- The Guardian
Third person arrested after violent clashes outside Essex hotel for asylum seekers
A third person has been arrested after violent clashes outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Essex, police said. Eight police officers were injured in what started as a peaceful protest outside the Bell hotel in Epping on Thursday evening. A 33-year-old man from Loughton was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of violent disorder and criminal damage, Essex police said. He is in custody waiting to be questioned. Two people were arrested on Friday in relation to the protests. Riot police wore helmets while crowds of men, some masked, surrounded a small counter-demonstration by anti-racism activists. Counter-demonstrators and police were pelted with plastic bottles, eggs and flour but the violence worsened as those in the crowd directly attacked officers and vandalised police vans. Dean Walters, 65, of Corner Meadow in Harlow, has been charged with affray and will appear at court in September after a separate protest on Sunday 13 July. A second man arrested for a breach of a dispersal order has been released on conditional bail. Thursday's demonstration was the latest in a series of protests outside the hotel since an asylum seeker was charged with three counts of sexual assault. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, from Ethiopia, who denied the offences when he appeared at Chelmsford magistrates court on Thursday, was remanded in custody before a two-day trial next month. Ch Supt Simon Anslow said: 'The events in Epping on Thursday were shocking and have no place in our neighbourhoods. We understand the concerns of the local community and support everyone's right to peaceful protest. 'Unfortunately, across social media we are seeing inflammatory comments which suggest we were supporting and enabling certain protesters. This is categorically not true. We police without fear or favour, remaining impartial at all times and have legal responsibilities to ensure peaceful protest is facilitated. 'Officers will act robustly and swiftly towards anyone intent on disrupting the local community's right to have their voices heard.' Essex police's assistant chief constable Stuart Hooper had urged people not to attend any future protests outside the hotel that have been discussed on social media.
The Independent
12 hours ago
- The Independent
Third arrest after clashes outside Essex hotel ‘housing asylum seekers'
A third person has been arrested following violent clashes outside a hotel in Essex believed to be housing asylum seekers. Eight police officers were injured following what started as a peaceful protest outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Thursday evening. A 33-year-old man, from Loughton, was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of violent disorder and criminal damage, Essex Police said. He is in custody waiting to be questioned. Dean Walters, 65, of Corner Meadow in Harlow, has been charged with affray and will appear at court in September following a separate protest on Sunday. A second man arrested for a breach of a dispersal order has been released on conditional bail. Thursday's demonstration was the latest in a series of protests outside the hotel since 38-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexual assault following 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. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'The events in Epping on Thursday were shocking and have no place in our neighbourhoods. 'We understand the concerns of the local community and support everyone's right to peaceful protest. 'Unfortunately, across social media we are seeing inflammatory comments which suggest we were supporting and enabling certain protesters. 'This is categorically not true. We police without fear or favour, remaining impartial at all times and have legal responsibilities to ensure peaceful protest is facilitated. 'Officers will act robustly and swiftly towards anyone intent on disrupting the local community's right to have their voices heard.' On Friday afternoon, a security guard remained on site at the Bell Hotel, opening the gate in the fencing and the door of the hotel to let people in and out. Fencing has since been put up to surround the hotel, accompanied by no entry signs. There are also warnings forbidding photography and filming in the vicinity of the hotel.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Third arrest after clashes outside Essex hotel ‘housing asylum seekers'
A third person has been arrested following violent clashes outside a hotel in Essex believed to be housing asylum seekers. Eight police officers were injured following what started as a peaceful protest outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Thursday evening. A 33-year-old man, from Loughton, was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of violent disorder and criminal damage, Essex Police said. He is in custody waiting to be questioned. Dean Walters, 65, of Corner Meadow in Harlow, has been charged with affray and will appear at court in September following a separate protest on Sunday. A second man arrested for a breach of a dispersal order has been released on conditional bail. Thursday's demonstration was the latest in a series of protests outside the hotel since 38-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexual assault following 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. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'The events in Epping on Thursday were shocking and have no place in our neighbourhoods. 'We understand the concerns of the local community and support everyone's right to peaceful protest. 'Unfortunately, across social media we are seeing inflammatory comments which suggest we were supporting and enabling certain protesters. 'This is categorically not true. We police without fear or favour, remaining impartial at all times and have legal responsibilities to ensure peaceful protest is facilitated. 'Officers will act robustly and swiftly towards anyone intent on disrupting the local community's right to have their voices heard.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Met confirms police van 'made contact' with protester at anti-migrant demo when thugs clashed with officers near asylum hotel after Ethiopian resident was charged over schoolgirl sex assault
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed one of their vans made contact with a protester during the chaos outside a migrant hotel which saw thugs clash with officers yesterday. Hundreds of furious residents gathered outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, on Thursday night, following the arrest of an asylum seeker accused of sexually assaulting teenage schoolgirls. The protest began peacefully, but later flared into violence after a group of hardcore agitators stopped three Essex Police riot vans from driving past the hotel to support their colleagues in the centre of the town. Children in balaclavas joined grown men and women to block the road by standing across it, before protesters started attacking the police vehicles, with some seen hurling projectiles at the vans and officers. Dramatic footage shared online appeared to show the moment a demonstrator was driven into by one of the police vehicles. The Essex Police van can be seen knocking over the young man, who stood in Epping High Road, in what appears to be an attempt to stop the vehicle leaving. In a comment addressing the video, a spokesperson for the Met said: 'Met officers attended Epping, Essex on the evening of Thursday, 17 July, following a request by Essex Police to support with an ongoing protest and counter-protest. 'On arrival, officers were met with significant hostility from protesters, with police vehicles damaged and officers threatened with violence. During their attendance, officers attempted to leave the immediate area due to safety concerns and were subsequently blocked in by the group of protesters using barriers. During this, a police van made contact with one of the protesters.' Protesters had erected a make-shift barrier made up of pallets and plastic fencing in the road to stop police leaving the scene. But the first of four Essex Police vans crashed through the barrier, leading to a protester to stand in the road, who was then knocked out of the way by the second van as people screamed: 'Oh my god' and 'what the f***'. The youth who was mown down by the police van is then seen getting up and brushing himself down as he shouts at the convoy. Another man, who was standing by the side of the road, also fell to the ground during the chaotic clip - which has been seen more than 2.4million times online. It is unclear whether either man needed medical attention. Essex Police officers, dressed in full riot-gear, can be seen sat in the vehicles - as thugs are seen attacking the vans, kicking and launching missiles at them. They had been among up to 100 officers who battled with anti-migrant protesters who had confronted a counter an anti-racism demonstration. Speaking to journalists this afternoon, Essex's Assistance Chief Constable Stuart Hooper, condemned last night's 'mindless thuggery', which left eight officers hurt. Warning those behind the mayhem they will 'feel the full force of the law', ACC Hooper said: 'If you were one of those individuals that was responsible for the damage - particularly to my officers or vehicle - you can expect a knock on your door.' He added: 'Eight of my officers... were assaulted last night and that is absolutely, totally unaccepted. They have come here to do a role, to support their communities – they're a part of that community. And that's what we won't tolerate.' The injured officers suffered minor injuries to their hands, as well as cuts and grazes elsewhere, ACC Hooper said. The top officer's comments come amid fears more protests could flare up tonight, triggering a fresh wave of violence. Insisting police were there to 'support peaceful protest', ACC Hooper said the force wanted to 'make sure everyone's voices are heard'. But he said: 'We don't want to see those acts of violence in our streets. 'If you are coming here with the intention of carrying out mindless thuggery, that is not acceptable and we will deal with that.' The demonstrators started peacefully early in the afternoon on Thursday. But by 6.30pm, violence had started to spill out onto the street, ACC Hooper said. Carrying placards reading 'Refugees Welcome' some of the counter protesters were pelted with bottles, eggs and can and told to 'f*** off out of Epping' by an angry mob. The protesters were calling for the closure of Epping's Bell Hotel as Home Office accommodation for asylum seekers following the arrest of one resident migrant on sexual assault charges against schoolgirls. Essex Police has confirmed it is aware of a video which appeared to show a police vehicle drive into a protester. Speaking of the incident, ACC Hooper said the video had been reported to the force, but said they had seen another video 'which maybe shows it from a different angle'. 'And I guess the angles and perceptions show a different thing,' he added. 'So I'm not sure that exact incident is as it's been reported in the media.' Photos from later in the evening show one of the vans with a smashed windscreen, while one masked man is seen jumping up and down on the roof of another police vehicle. Other footage from earlier in the mayhem showed men repeatedly punching and kicking the vans, as another man yells 'smash it, smash it' while officers sat trapped inside while the vandals attempted to break the windows. Several thugs then clambered on to the roof of the vehicles, before jumping up and down. The van was eventually forced to flee with its back doors wide open. The agitators also threw fireworks and bottles at police as they sought to protect anti-racism counter-demonstrators. Essex Police said that they had already identified several suspects they believe are responsible for damaging police vehicles, the hotel, and assaulting officers. Officers on patrol also arrested a man on suspicion of affray, following an assault reported close to The Bell Hotel on Sunday evening. Police armed with riot shields form a barrier across the road following a major public order incident in Epping on Thursday Dean Walters, 65, of Harlow, has been charged with affray and released on bail to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on September 24, with stringent conditions until then. The latest unrest has been triggered after Ethiopian asylums seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was charged with a number of sexual offences. He was arrested by officers on July 8 after reports of a man acting inappropriately towards a number of people. Kebatu appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Thursday, July 10, and denied all offences. Kebatu was charged with three counts of sexual assault, as well as one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and one count of harassment without violence. At the protest well-dressed mothers stood side-by-side with retired businessmen and women and dozens of bald tattooed middle-aged men to call for the hotel to stop operating as refugee accommodation. One bearded man wearing shorts draped a union flag over his shoulders as he took selfie pictures outside the embattled hostel. Essex Police were out in force in the picturesque commuter town - blocking the entrance to the hotel car park with a riot van. One of the demonstrators told how the 'whole of Epping' was united in opposition to housing asylum seekers in their town. The 74-year-old retired company director who declined to give his name said: 'We are all absolutely sick of it. They should all be sent back to where they've come from. If they came in a small boat from France then they should be sent back to France. 'It's absolutely outrageous that we have to pay for them - the food, their accommodation, their phones, everything. 'How is it that our children can't walk home from school without being attacked?' A mother-of-three added: 'This is not about being racist, it's about protecting our children. There are a load of schools near here and there are all these single men here in the hotel and no one knows who they are. Hundreds of furious Essex residents took to the streets to voice their anger following the arrest of a migrant on sex assault charges against school girls 'They've not been screened, or checked or anything.' One man held a flag of St George with the slogan written in black: 'Save Our Kids'. Youths wearing face masks, caps and sunglasses surged through bushes at the side of the road to try to confront their opponents. Police were forced to push some of the anti-migrant protesters back. But some managed to break through police lines and grabbed the anti-racism placards and threw them back at their opponents. Meanwhile a middle aged man with a Union flag draped over his shoulders and a black trilby hat joined the crowd with a loud speaker playing ska music classics. Police were forced to create a protective ring around the 50 or so anti-racism demonstrators as they became surrounded by protesters at the entrance to Epping town centre. Essex Police then deployed squads of riot officers as protesters urged the demonstrators to 'f*** off out of Epping' and accused them of protecting 'paedos'. The anti-racism group were pelted by occasional bottles, cans and eggs hurled by the anti-migrant protesters. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'I am sure those living in Epping have concerns following tonight. I share those concerns. 'We know the people who carried out these crimes do not represent Epping or Essex. 'Nothing about the offending we saw tonight is representative of these communities, or the peaceful event that ended before this started. This was crime. 'Our detectives are already working through the footage of this evening – from our officers bodyworn camera, from our drones and from social media – and where offences are identified we will take action. 'People attended the earlier protest and did so peacefully, lawfully and responsibly. I'd like to thank them for expressing their views this way given the strength of feeling locally. 'The details of the ongoing sexual assault case can be found on our website, and I reiterate the importance for respect for the court process to prevent the release of any prejudicial information in relation to that case.' On Friday afternoon, a security guard remained on site at the Bell Hotel, opening the gate in the fencing and the door of the hotel to let people in and out. Fencing has since been put up to surround the hotel, accompanied with no entry signs. There are also warnings forbidding photography and filming in the vicinity of the hotel. Broken glass and remnants of flares remain on the ground from the incident. ACC Hooper believes that, although there are polarised views in Epping surrounding the hotel holding asylum seekers, a lot of those responsible for the violence came from further afield. He said: 'We actually saw last night we believe outsiders from our communities. People have come from outside their local areas into Epping to commit acts of violence and damage. 'That was really disappointing to see, because we know our communities wanted a voice and wanted to tell us what was going on, and they were peaceful in their activity. 'I've seen some of the social media comments and spoken to a number of members of the community, and there are polarised views. 'But it's our role as police to be independent and to, without fear or favour, make sure that people have the right to peaceful protest. 'What I won't stand for is those mindless acts of vandalism and violence that we saw and making sure that we are very robust in supporting our communities. 'Our communities don't want to see this violence, and they want to have their voice heard peacefully.' On Sunday night, rival groups of anti-migrant demonstrators and counter-protesters faced off outside the hotel. Two people, who worked as security guards at the hotel, were left bloodied and injured on July 13 after being attacked at a bus stop. Police said the two victims then managed to make their way past the protest site into the hotel, where there was a significant policing presence, to get help. A second incident took place on Tuesday July 15 with a man shouting racial abuse directed at the hotel, before later causing damage to the property. Police arrested a man on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and criminal damage, although he was later released on bail.
