Latest news with #thuggery
The Sun
21-07-2025
- The Sun
6 arrested after MORE ‘mindless thuggery' outside Epping migrant hotel as cops make appeal to help find yobs
COPS have arrested six more after "mindless thuggery" unfolded outside a migrant hotel in Epping. Chaos erupted outside The Bell Hotel in Essex last week after an asylum seeker appeared in court charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. 10 10 The unrest saw yobs launching themselves on riot vans, smashing windshields and ripping off wingmirrors in senseless displays of "hooliganism". One thug was even run over while attempting to stop a police van gaining access to the hotel. Another man had his teeth knocked out after riot cops smashed a shield into his face in a brutal clash. Since tensions reached boiling point, violent demonstrations have cost the force £100,000. And Essex Police confirmed six more people have been detained this week. Cops arrested two men, aged 36, and 47, on suspicion of violent disorder under Section 2 of the Public Order Act. A 51-year-old has also now been charged with violent disorder. A 34-year-old man remains in custody on suspicion of breaching Section 60AA of the Public Order Act. Meanwhile, two teens aged 17 and 16, were also arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a vehicle and going equipped to cause criminal damage, respectively. But police are still appealing for more information and released CCTV of three men they wish to speak to. The force wish to located them in connection with violent disorder, assaulting an emergency worker, and assault. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: "The cost of policing criminal incidents in Epping over the last week has reached £100,000 – money which we would much rather spend on continuing to cut crime across Essex and keeping our neighbourhoods safe. "What we have seen in Epping over the last week is not protest, it's hooliganism and the people responsible for it can expect to be held accountable. 'To those who seek to use social media to peddle untruths and lies about the incidents in Epping on Thursday and Sunday, you won't win. 'The very people you are criticising are police officers who have families, who live in our communities and want to keep them safe. 10 10 10 'These are the same people who have been antagonised with threatening and abusive language, they've had missiles thrown at them and they've been injured. 'Once again, to anyone who somehow thinks we will tolerate this behaviour – think again. "We don't take sides; we arrest criminals and we have a duty to ensure no-one is hurt – it really is that simple.' This comes after two people were arrested on Sunday night after thugs sparked brawls in the street. The force confirmed eight officers were injured in the clash and two people have been arrested - one on suspicion of affray following reports of an assault, and the other for failing to comply with dispersal orders. The man accused of affray, 65-year-old Dean Walters, has since been charged and the second suspect remains in custody. On Wednesday night, video footage captured the dramatic moment a protestor was run over by a police riot van as chaos broke out. Yobs allegedly tried to block the streets with green plastic blockades as officers navigated through angry crows. Men could be seen kicking and punching several riot vans on the road. But footage shows one man being driven into after failing to move. The protest was sparked by a 38-year-old Ethiopian asylum seeker who was arrested and later charged with three counts of sexual assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and one count of harassment without violence. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, who had been living at the Bell Hotel, in Epping, Essex, denies sexual assault. He appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Thursday, July 10, where he denied all charges. His arrest led to multiple protests in the region, culminating in the violent clashes. There are about 210 hotels under contracts with the Home Office to house migrants. A Sun investigation revealed 339 defendants who had been living at asylum hotels had appeared in magistrate's courts already this year. Sir Keir Starmer released a statement in response to the growing tensions. "Well, I think it's obviously important that communities know that we are working to reduce the number of asylum hotels," said the PM's spokesperson. "That is a clear government policy. But it's also important that legitimate protest doesn't cross over into something else, and we would always hope that communities would respect that. "But we are, and I think the Prime Minister is on record as saying, about the need to cut migration, both lawfully and illegal migration, and that is something that you're seeing in working on tirelessly over the last year, whether it be the agreement with the French last week or the agreement with the German government yesterday, that is a priority for this government. "It is something that requires international solutions, and that is why you're seeing this flurry of activity from this government to tackle these gangs from every possible angle.' 10 10 10
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Six arrested after ‘thuggery' outside Essex hotel ‘housing asylum seekers'
Six people have been arrested after another protest escalated 'into mindless thuggery', police said, outside an Essex hotel believed to house asylum seekers. More than 100 demonstrators assembled outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Sunday evening, with some chanting 'save our kids'. Essex Police said six people were arrested that evening and remain in custody, including a 17-year-old male on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a police car. Four were arrested on Sunday for alleged offences during Thursday's protest, police said. A 16-year-old male from south London was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to cause criminal damage, it added At 10.15pm, Essex Police said: 'There were angry and violent scenes when a woman walked through the crowds. 'Missiles were thrown at her and a number of individuals were shouting abuse and trying to reach the woman. 'Our officers walked alongside her until she left the scene in order to keep everyone on all sides safe and ensure no-one was hurt.' It added: 'An officer from Norfolk was struck in the face by a bottle and taken to hospital.' A Section 35 dispersal order was put in place 'to prevent further crime or anti-social behaviour', and a Section 60AA was activated to give officers the power to make 'any individuals' remove their 'face coverings and balaclavas'. Epping High Road was closed for 'a number of hours' after people gathered there. Police said 'all protesters have now been dispersed' at 11.15pm. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'Disappointingly we have seen yet another protest, which begun peacefully, escalate into mindless thuggery with individuals again hurting one of our officers and damaging a police vehicle. 'For anyone who thinks we will tolerate their thuggery – think again.' Some set off flares in blue and red, while others held signs which read 'deport foreign criminals', 'we go home when they go back' and 'defend our girls'. Bottles and smoke flares were later thrown towards police vans blocking the entrance to the hotel on the High Road. This came as a man was charged with violent disorder and criminal damage on Sunday afternoon following previous clashes outside the hotel. Eight police officers were injured after what started as a peaceful protest on Thursday evening. Keith Silk, 33, of Torrington Drive, Loughton, was arrested on Saturday, Essex Police said. The force said on Sunday that the CPS had authorised police to charge Silk with one count of violent disorder and one count of criminal damage. He was remanded into custody and will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Monday. Thursday's demonstration was one of a series of protests outside the hotel since 38-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexual assault after 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 Anslow said: 'Individuals who thought that after last Thursday, turned up this evening only to find themselves getting arrested (sic) and we have continued to arrest others throughout the evening.' He added: 'I would also like to set the record straight around misinformation that Essex Police is anything other than impartial. 'We don't take sides, we arrest criminals and we have a duty to ensure no-one is hurt – plain and simple. 'I know the people of Essex know what we're about so I know they won't believe the rubbish circulating online that is designed to do nothing more than inflame tensions and trouble. 'I think I speak for all of us – including the people of Epping – when I say we've had enough of your criminality. 'But our cells, which have been filling up throughout the evening, are ready for you, so don't be in any doubt that this is where you will be sleeping.'
The Independent
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Six arrested after ‘thuggery' outside Essex hotel ‘housing asylum seekers'
Six people have been arrested after another protest escalated 'into mindless thuggery', police said, outside an Essex hotel believed to house asylum seekers. More than 100 demonstrators assembled outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Sunday evening, with some chanting 'save our kids'. Essex Police said six people were arrested that evening and remain in custody, including a 17-year-old male on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a police car. Four were arrested on Sunday for alleged offences during Thursday's protest, police said. A 16-year-old male from south London was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to cause criminal damage, it added At 10.15pm, Essex Police said: 'There were angry and violent scenes when a woman walked through the crowds. 'Missiles were thrown at her and a number of individuals were shouting abuse and trying to reach the woman. 'Our officers walked alongside her until she left the scene in order to keep everyone on all sides safe and ensure no-one was hurt.' It added: 'An officer from Norfolk was struck in the face by a bottle and taken to hospital.' A Section 35 dispersal order was put in place 'to prevent further crime or anti-social behaviour', and a Section 60AA was activated to give officers the power to make 'any individuals' remove their 'face coverings and balaclavas'. Epping High Road was closed for 'a number of hours' after people gathered there. Police said 'all protesters have now been dispersed' at 11.15pm. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'Disappointingly we have seen yet another protest, which begun peacefully, escalate into mindless thuggery with individuals again hurting one of our officers and damaging a police vehicle. 'For anyone who thinks we will tolerate their thuggery – think again.' Some set off flares in blue and red, while others held signs which read 'deport foreign criminals', 'we go home when they go back' and 'defend our girls'. Bottles and smoke flares were later thrown towards police vans blocking the entrance to the hotel on the High Road. This came as a man was charged with violent disorder and criminal damage on Sunday afternoon following previous clashes outside the hotel. Eight police officers were injured after what started as a peaceful protest on Thursday evening. Keith Silk, 33, of Torrington Drive, Loughton, was arrested on Saturday, Essex Police said. The force said on Sunday that the CPS had authorised police to charge Silk with one count of violent disorder and one count of criminal damage. He was remanded into custody and will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Monday. Thursday's demonstration was one of a series of protests outside the hotel since 38-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexual assault after 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 Anslow said: 'Individuals who thought that after last Thursday, turned up this evening only to find themselves getting arrested (sic) and we have continued to arrest others throughout the evening.' He added: 'I would also like to set the record straight around misinformation that Essex Police is anything other than impartial. 'We don't take sides, we arrest criminals and we have a duty to ensure no-one is hurt – plain and simple. 'I know the people of Essex know what we're about so I know they won't believe the rubbish circulating online that is designed to do nothing more than inflame tensions and trouble. 'I think I speak for all of us – including the people of Epping – when I say we've had enough of your criminality. 'But our cells, which have been filling up throughout the evening, are ready for you, so don't be in any doubt that this is where you will be sleeping.'
France 24
20-07-2025
- France 24
New clashes outside London hotel housing migrants
Police said they had arrested five people for "violent disorder" at the rally outside the Bell Hotel in the north-east London district of Epping. "Disappointingly we have seen yet another protest, which had begun peacefully, escalate into mindless thuggery with individuals again hurting one of our officers and damaging a police vehicle," Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said in a statement. Police vans guarded the entrance to the hotel as several hundred people rallied outside, according to the British news agency PA. The protestors shouted "save our children" and "send them home", while banners called for the expulsion of "foreign criminals". Tensions have been simmering for days after a 38-year-old asylum seeker was charged with sexual assault. He allegedly tried to kiss a 14-year-old girl, which he denied when brought to court on Thursday. On Thursday evening, eight police officers were wounded in clashes. Anti-immigration riots shook the UK last summer after three girls were stabbed to death by a teenager in the north-western town of Southport, even though the suspect turned out to be British-born. Rioters had attacked hotels housing asylum seekers in several towns, including an attempt to set fire to an establishment in Rotherham, in north-east England.
ABC News
14-07-2025
- ABC News
CFMEU violence cost Queensland government $22 million on one job site, premier says
The "thuggery" of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) cost taxpayers an additional $22 million on one project alone, the Queensland government says. Premier David Crisafulli made the claim a day after announcing the Queensland government would launch a commission of inquiry into allegations of a culture of violence within the state branch of the union. Mr Crisafulli said the union's disruptive tactics had included blocking deliveries and threatening workers. As a result, additional fencing, lighting and CCTV had to be installed at the site and security was ramped up, which had cost $22 million since February last year. One incident at the site was referenced in a damning report into the union released last week. Barrister Geoffrey Watson detailed an occasion where more than ten CFMEU members surrounded a car being driven by two AWU organisers when they were leaving the site in February last year. As captured on a dash cam, a group of workers began rocking the car and shouting at those inside. Mr Watson said the identity of "most" of those involved was still unknown. Mr Crisafulli on Monday said the incident "typified the thuggery of the CFMEU" and was a consequence of having a "militant union". Mr Crisafulli said no one involved in that incident had been held to account for their behaviour. Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said the costs associated with delays and the CFMEU "deliberately" trying to interrupt work was a large portion of an additional $55 million which had been directed towards the Centenary Bridge upgrade. He said 70 days of work had been lost. "They would deliberately protest on days where there [were] critical tasks," he said. A commission of inquiry can compel witnesses to give evidence, and charges can be recommended once completed. Mr Crisafulli has described it as the "strongest lever" available to the government. There's no details on cost for the commission, but the premier said on Monday he would like to see it begin next month and run for around a year. Mr Crisafulli promised the commission would provide an additional level of protection for witnesses to come forward. The commission of inquiry has been welcomed by the Property Council and the Civil Contractors' Federation. Mr Crisafulli said he did not see a place for the CFMEU in Queensland under its current business model. Instead, he's promised to return "productivity to job sites". "I yearn for a day when the likes of the CFMEU aren't in business and they're replaced with the kind of unions that actually care about their workers ... and productivity," he said. Mr Watson was commissioned to write the report by Queensland administrator Mark Irving KC. The Queensland branch of the union was placed into administration last year following allegations the Victorian branch was linked to bikie gangs and crime syndicates. The report was based on 60 interviews Mr Watson conducted. It detailed the union's use of violence to "support a pursuit of political, industrial and financial power" and alleged that violence or threats were used against women, workplace health and safety inspectors and in some cases, against politicians. Several former key figures in the union, including secretary Michael Ravbar and assistant secretary Jade Ingham, who were accused of having "cultivated a culture of violence" declined Mr Watson's multiple requests for interviews. Mr Watson described an "obstinate refusal to co-operate from some critical witnesses" as well as others who had been "afflicted with widespread memory loss". Mr Ravbar has rejected the allegations made by the report and told the ABC last week he had nothing to fear from a commission of inquiry. The CFMEU administrators declined to comment. Mr Crisafulli said the government had referred the allegations in the report to police and the state's Crime and Corruption Commission.
