Epping protests: Demonstrations continue as man due in court following violence
On Sunday more than 100 demonstrators assembled outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, with some chanting 'save our kids' and holding signs saying 'deport foreign criminals', 'we go home when they go back' and 'defend our girls'.
Bottles and smoke flares were thrown towards police vans that blocked the entrance to the hotel.
The latest demonstration comes after eight police officers were injured in what started as a peaceful protest outside the hotel on Thursday evening.
Keith Silk, 33, of Torrington Drive, Loughton, is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Monday charged with violent disorder and criminal damage after being arrested on Saturday.
Here is what we know about the protests and why they're happening.
What are the protests about?
There have been 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, 17 July.
The protests come amid a wider debate over the use of hotels to house asylum seekers, with growing tensions in some towns and cities.
What has happened now?
On Sunday (20 July) more than 100 protestors gathered outside the hotel, with some chanting 'save our kids'.
A line of police vans and officers blocked off the entrance to the hotel, with protesters facing them on the other side of the pavement and later throwing bottles and smoke flares.
Some protestors held signs saying 'deport foreign criminals', 'we go home when they go back' and 'defend our girls'. A small number were wearing balaclavas and face coverings.
What do local politicians say?
Local Conservative MPs, Epping Forest's Neil Hudson and Alex Burghart, who represents Brentwood and Ongar, as well as Chris Whitbread, the Conservative leader of Epping Forest District Council, have called for the Home Office to stop housing asylum seekers at the hotel.
In a statement last week, Hudson and Burghart said: "The situation regarding the use of asylum hotels in Epping Forest District has become increasingly alarming and distressing in recent days.
"From the fires at the Phoenix Hotel and Bell Hotel a few weeks ago leading to a man being charged with arson, and now the alleged sexual assaults in Epping last week, leading to a man being charged, our local communities are becoming increasingly distressed.
"It is becoming more apparent that the Home Office do not have a grasp about the seriousness of this situation with regard to local community safety, or accountability or safeguarding of hotel residents.
"Together as neighbouring Constituency MPs, along with Epping Forest District Council, we are calling on the Government to immediately close the Bell and Phoenix Hotels and make alternative arrangements accordingly."
They said they had requested an urgent meeting with the Home Secretary, adding: "The Government needs to get a grip of this issue both locally and nationally.
"Labour made promises that they would end the use of asylum hotels. They also made promises on illegal immigration, but on their watch this has markedly gone up."
Whitbread said in a statement: "We have consistently shared concerns with the Home Office that the Bell Hotel is an entirely unsuitable location for this facility and should close.
"We continue to press Home Office officials for the immediate closure of the site and are encouraged that our local MPs are now actively supporting our call."
What does the government say?
Sir Keir Starmer pledged to 'end asylum hotels, saving the taxpayer billions of pounds' during last year's general election.
But concerns have been voiced, including from his own backbenchers, over whether the government is achieving its aims of cutting the asylum backlog and housing people in longer term temporary housing.
In the wake of the latest protests, a spokesman for the Prime Minister reportedly said it was important that legitimate protest did not cross a line into criminality, adding that there is a clear government policy to reduce the use of asylum hotels.
Read more
Drone footage shows Bell Hotel deserted after violent asylum seeker riot (SWNS)
How the UK became dependent on asylum hotels (The Conversation)
Government plan to end use of asylum hotels 'won't be achieved' – inspector (PA Media)
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