Cost of policing protests outside hotel ‘housing asylum seekers' hits £100,000
Eight police officers were injured following what started as a peaceful protest outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Thursday evening.
The latest protest, on Sunday, saw more than 100 demonstrators assemble outside the hotel with some chanting 'save our kids'.
Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow, of Essex Police, said the cost of policing the incidents in Epping over the last week has reached £100,000.
He 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.'
A man has appeared before a court and denied a charge of violent disorder following a protest outside the hotel.
Thursday's demonstration was one of a series of protests outside the hotel since asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was charged with sexual assault following an incident where he is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
Kebatu denied the charge when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
Essex Police said six people were arrested on Sunday 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.
Mr Anslow said: '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.
'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.
He added: 'We don't take sides; we arrest criminals and we have a duty to ensure no-one is hurt – it really is that simple.
'There continues to be a visible policing presence in Epping today and that will remain in the coming days.'
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The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Arrest made as protesters gather outside Epping hotel ‘housing asylum seekers'
One arrest has been made as protesters gather outside a hotel in Essex believed to be housing asylum seekers. A group were outside The Bell Hotel, Epping, on Thursday evening, and shortly after 7.30pm police said the protest had 'so far been peaceful'. A person was arrested for breaching an order in place that prevents anyone from wearing a face covering, Essex Police said. A total of 16 arrests were made following a protest outside the same hotel last week. The force previously said a small number of people used that demonstration as cover to commit violent disorder and criminal damage. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said on Thursday: 'I want to thank those who are attending today and protesting peacefully. 'We have used powers at our disposal to ensure people can protest peacefully, lawfully, and safely. 'And our officers are in place to ensure you can do so. 'We won't tolerate anyone thinking they can come and cause trouble or breach the orders we've put in place to keep people safe. My message is clear – we will deal with you.' A group outside the hotel wanted to move towards the town centre and officers 'escorted them there to ensure they could express their democratic right safely', the force said. Earlier that evening, police announced they will be using extra powers, under Sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, to 'put restrictions on people who plan to assemble or to take part in any kind of procession'. Sites to lawfully protest at are directly opposite the Bell Hotel 'and will have their own designated entry and exit routes', Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said previously. There will also be areas near the Civic Centre, he said, adding: 'If you move from the Bell Hotel to the Civic Centre, you will not be able to return.' A Section 60AA order, under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, is also in place on face coverings. 'If you wear one, we'll order you to take it off. If you don't take it off, you'll be arrested', Mr Hooper said. He said all protest activity should cease by 10pm, adding: 'To be clear, you will not be able to get in the way of people getting on with their daily lives in Epping. This is a priority.' Last Thursday's protest began peacefully but escalated into what officers described as 'scattered incidents of violence' targeting police and property. Eight officers were injured and a number of police vehicles were damaged as missiles were thrown. Six people have been charged in relation to the action. The latest developments come as police are braced for further protests, and the Government and law enforcement have vowed to act swiftly if unrest spreads. 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. The protest has drawn national attention and sparked a political row, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage calling for Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington to resign over claims that officers transported left-wing protesters to the scene, claims the chief constable has denied.
South Wales Guardian
32 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Arrest made as protesters gather outside Epping hotel ‘housing asylum seekers'
A group were outside The Bell Hotel, Epping, on Thursday evening, and shortly after 7.30pm police said the protest had 'so far been peaceful'. A person was arrested for breaching an order in place that prevents anyone from wearing a face covering, Essex Police said. A total of 16 arrests were made following a protest outside the same hotel last week. The force previously said a small number of people used that demonstration as cover to commit violent disorder and criminal damage. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said on Thursday: 'I want to thank those who are attending today and protesting peacefully. 'We have used powers at our disposal to ensure people can protest peacefully, lawfully, and safely. 'And our officers are in place to ensure you can do so. 'We won't tolerate anyone thinking they can come and cause trouble or breach the orders we've put in place to keep people safe. My message is clear – we will deal with you.' A group outside the hotel wanted to move towards the town centre and officers 'escorted them there to ensure they could express their democratic right safely', the force said. Earlier that evening, police announced they will be using extra powers, under Sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, to 'put restrictions on people who plan to assemble or to take part in any kind of procession'. Sites to lawfully protest at are directly opposite the Bell Hotel 'and will have their own designated entry and exit routes', Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said previously. There will also be areas near the Civic Centre, he said, adding: 'If you move from the Bell Hotel to the Civic Centre, you will not be able to return.' A Section 60AA order, under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, is also in place on face coverings. 'If you wear one, we'll order you to take it off. If you don't take it off, you'll be arrested', Mr Hooper said. He said all protest activity should cease by 10pm, adding: 'To be clear, you will not be able to get in the way of people getting on with their daily lives in Epping. This is a priority.' Last Thursday's protest began peacefully but escalated into what officers described as 'scattered incidents of violence' targeting police and property. Eight officers were injured and a number of police vehicles were damaged as missiles were thrown. Six people have been charged in relation to the action. The latest developments come as police are braced for further protests, and the Government and law enforcement have vowed to act swiftly if unrest spreads. 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. The protest has drawn national attention and sparked a political row, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage calling for Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington to resign over claims that officers transported left-wing protesters to the scene, claims the chief constable has denied.
STV News
an hour ago
- STV News
'I have a lifeline scholarship to study in Scotland - but I'm trapped in Gaza'
A Palestinian writer, translator and scholar has who has been offered the chance to undertake a PhD at the University of Edinburgh says she fears losing the lifeline opportunity over government red tape. Shaimaa Abulebda used to have an ordinary life, which, like her old university and neighbourhood, is in ruins. Shaimaa has been given the chance to reclaim some of her old life and continue her work in Scotland. But the opportunity could be taken away over a refusal by the Home Office to issue her a visa until she submits biometric data, including professional photographs and fingerprints. The UK-authorised biometrics registration centre in Gaza closed in October 2023, with travelling to other centres in neighbouring countries now impossible. 'Coming to Edinburgh has been a long-standing dream', Shaimaa told STV News on a video call from a displacement camp. 'It's not just an opportunity to continue my studies, it will also be a way to reclaim my future as a scholar and researcher. 'It's about a c ontinuation of my life's work and my life's research. I think of it as my opportunity to bring more attention to Palestinian literature. 'It would give me space, mentorship, and access to resources within the intellectual community in Edinburgh. It's what I need to grow as a writer, as a researcher, as a scholar. It would be a lifeline.' Shaimaa is one of millions displaced by the conflict between Israel and Hamas since October 7, 2023 – around 90% of the population of Gaza. The writer herself has been displaced 12 times and is now living in a tent on the beach that was once a refuge for her. She describes the situation as 'unbearable,' with little to eat and no nourishment from any food given. 'On a typical day [before the conflict], I used to start with exercises and head to work as a lecturer at the Islamic University of Gaza', she explained. Getty Images 'Usually I taught two classes a day. After work, I used to tend to our garden, take an evening walk, prepare for my lectures, do some freelance content writing work. I used to spend my weekends at the beach. 'Now my life is overturned, everything has changed for me and my family. 'We have been displaced 12 times so far. I've watched my city and university getting bombed, and narrowly escaped being bombed. I've lost mentors, relatives. 'Being in constant displacement suspended my ability to think, be creative, to try and even speak coherently. 'Right now, I'm trying to reclaim my life back. I applied for PhD at Edinburgh, and I rewrote my PhD proposal. I had an interview with a potential supervisor one day before the war. I applied for a scholarship. 'This process gave me some hope, it gave me a sense of focus and being grounded, some agency to reclaim my life amid destruction and loss. 'It feels like I am building something and trying to work through something, something that matters, something that will outlast devastation and give meaning to survival for the life I had and the life I'm trying to rebuild. 'Conditions now remain very extremely difficult. I'm struggling to access clean water and food. Almost everything is unavailable or outrageously expensive. 'My daily routine has been completely upended. Living in a tent is unbearable in both summer and winter, and I've lived through both.' As she waits for news on continuing her work in Scotland, Shaimaa is striving to stay focused by reading, writing, and documenting as much of her experience as she can. She is also working on translating a Palestinian novel from Arabic to English. 'I'm not sitting around waiting for things to change', she added. Getty Images 'Even though I am displaced, we have been living through this war for almost two years. I am still trying to read, write, and document everything. 'Through these pieces, I have documented my trauma and the collective trauma of displaced Palestinians. 'I am trying to challenge dominant narratives, trying to preserve our culture and the memory of Palestinians' The University of Edinburgh believes Shaimaa and others like her will make an 'invaluable' contribution to the institution. Colm Harmon, vice principal students, said: 'We have been actively exploring ways in which the biometric requirement of the visa could be deferred until a student has left Gaza and has reached another country, such as Egypt or Jordan. 'We don't yet know if this will be possible, but we are hoping that restrictions can be adapted to allow this to happen. If they are, it will greatly benefit students like Shaimaa, one of a number of exceptional scholars in Gaza that we hope to welcome to our campus very soon. 'In addition to her own exciting research in the department of English literature, she will play a central role in developing public literary educational activities in Edinburgh and Palestine. She will also be helping to publish two collections of new Palestinian writing that will have a global impact. 'We are excited for the invaluable contribution that she will make to our university and to the wider literary community, but more fundamentally, education is key to how Gaza emerges from conflict, and scholars like Shaimaa are the future foundations of that. 'We are proud to support her and her peers, as part of a strong effort from UK higher education.' Campaigners and local MPs have called on the UK Government to do the same as other countries and let Gazans travel to a safe country to finish their visa applications. The University and College Union (UCU), which represents 125,000 education workers, has called for government intervention. In a letter to Yvette Cooper, UCU general secretary Jo Grady urged the home secretary to 'expedite the process and ensure all these young Palestinians make it to our seminar rooms and lecture halls for the start of the academic year.' As the wait continues for Shaimaa and dozens like her, the fear of the opportunity slipping away grows with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. More than 59,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. More than half of the dead are women and children. Over 100 charity and human rights groups have said that Israel's blockade and military offensive are pushing Palestinians in the Gaza Strip towards starvation. Meanwhile, experts say Gaza is at risk of famine because of Israel's blockade and the offensive launched in response to Hamas's attack on October 7. Gaza's Health Ministry said 48 Palestinians have died of malnutrition in the past month, adding that 59 Palestinians died of malnutrition so far in 2025, up from 50 in 2024, and four in 2023 when Israel started its war against Hamas. 'Each day feels like a delay, and waiting is really hard on me', Shaimaa adds. 'It feels like the war continues to shape my life, to snatch things that have been longstanding for me. I know that such processes take time. I live in constant fear of another loss, another missile, losing an opportunity that I have worked for for so many years. 'It feels like I have lost the agency I reclaimed in the process of applying, the focus that I had. 'Now I'm just waiting, with nothing left for me to do or achieve. 'I am trying to remain confident that the government will try to find a way and that I will lawfully get my visa and get to campus safely.' STV News approached the Foreign Office for a statement, but did not receive a response. 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