Manhunt over Epping migrant hotel disorder as protesters gather again
Officers released images of the suspects as more than 100 protesters gathered outside the Bell Hotel in Essex believed to be housing asylum seekers on Sunday night.
There is a line of police vans and officers blocking off the entrance to the hotel, with protesters facing them on the other side of the pavement.
Some are holding signs which say 'deport foreign criminals', 'we go home when they go back' and 'defend our girls'.
A small number of protesters are wearing balaclavas and face coverings against police orders.
An Essex Police spokesman, imposing a Section 60 order lasting until Monday morning, said: 'Anyone who refuses to remove a face covering when required to do so is likely to be arrested and if convicted could face imprisonment.'
The investigation to identify those who caused disorder in the town on Thursday continued.
Essex Police said that a group intent on causing trouble and violence, arrived on the high street.
One man was seen jumping on a riot van and kicking in the windscreen.
The group damaged a number of police vehicles, threw projectiles and injured eight police officers, according to the force.
One Metropolitan police van sped through an improvised blockade on Epping High Street 'making contact' with a protester who appeared to fail to move out of the way.
Staff at the hotel told Metro on Thursday that the car park was a no-go zone after the riot as they feared the protesters would return in force.
One, who looked visibly shaken, said: 'Everyone is ok but no one is allowed in the car park. The police say so.'
A nearby resident, 48, who did not want to be named, said: 'I was sickened by what I saw. This is not acceptable. We have families and having these thugs shouting and chucking stuff is disgusting.'
Another said: 'It's not ideal living right near a migrant hotel but what is worse is these rioters causing mayhem. There is rubbish everywhere from stuff they have chucked and they sort of lay siege to the hotel which must be terrifying for those inside.'
Detectives are now seeking to trace the three men in connection with violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.
Chief Supt Simon Anslow said: 'We continue to have a dedicated team of detectives working around the clock to find all of those who came to Epping last week intent on causing violence and disorder.
'There is no place for that on the streets of our county and there is a difference between peaceful, legitimate protest and those who are only interested in mindless thuggery.
'I continue to urge residents to support us by sending us your footage or imagery of those who came to Epping to do nothing but cause trouble.
'And a big thank you to those who have helped us by sending footage and images into us, we are grateful.'
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South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Arrest made as dozens gather outside Essex hotel ‘housing asylum seekers'
More than 100 demonstrators assembled outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Sunday evening, with some chanting 'save our kids'. 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. The force said one person had been arrested and was being taken into custody on Sunday evening. Essex Police announced, before the protest, that it would order demonstrators to remove face coverings when requested under section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. Anyone who refuses to remove a face mask when asked to do so is likely to be arrested and could be imprisoned if convicted, the force said. 'The right to peaceful protest is protected by law and allows everyone freedom of expression, but this must be done respectfully and if there is a risk to public order, we will act appropriately,' officers said. It comes after 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.
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Arrest made as dozens gather outside Essex hotel ‘housing asylum seekers'
More than 100 demonstrators assembled outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Sunday evening, with some chanting 'save our kids'. 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. The force said one person had been arrested and was being taken into custody on Sunday evening. Essex Police announced, before the protest, that it would order demonstrators to remove face coverings when requested under section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. Anyone who refuses to remove a face mask when asked to do so is likely to be arrested and could be imprisoned if convicted, the force said. 'The right to peaceful protest is protected by law and allows everyone freedom of expression, but this must be done respectfully and if there is a risk to public order, we will act appropriately,' officers said. It comes after 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.
Sky News
5 hours ago
- Sky News
Epping protests are just the latest flashpoint of frustration
This was the fourth protest in just nine days here - around 500 people gathered outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, which is believed to house asylum seekers. There was no sign of far-right or left that had travelled to the Essex town looking for trouble. Instead, it was locals; families sat on the grass, multi-generations of them, kids playing in the sunshine - tradesmen brought their lorries; a large "Protect Our Kids" sign fixed on the back. Between the protesters and those housed inside, around 50 police officers in riot gear lined up beside eight riot vans. There were some troublemakers hiding their faces in the crowd - a few brief moments of tension when bottles and firecrackers were thrown at police. There were five arrests, according to Essex Police, with one relating to damage caused to an unmarked police car, and four related to violent disorder at the same location on Thursday night. But overall - this was event on Sunday peaceful. Residents simply angry about events that have unfolded here in recent weeks. Earlier this month, an asylum seeker was arrested and charged with offences against a teenager and an adult in the town, eight days after arriving in the UK via a boat. Hadush Kebatu, 38, from Ethiopia, denies the allegations - of three counts of sexual assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and one count of harassment without violence - and was remanded in custody. On Thursday, when he appeared in court, it did boil over outside the hotel - eight officers were injured and arrests continue to be made. One man has been charged and is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Monday. It was calmer on Sunday night. Mother Nicola is here with her two kids. "I'm sick and tired of working and paying for these people," she tells me. "I've got a young little girl and I want her to be safe. "By all means come over. Bring into the economy, no disputing that. But you can't just come over and take and expect everything for nothing." Aimee Keteca - a Reform councillor in Essex - was in holding a placard "I'm not far right - I'm worried about my KIDS". She says: "I've got a 16-year-old daughter, I worry about her in my local area. It's right on your doorstep, we've got people here and we don't know who they are." These protests are just the latest flashpoint of frustration - a physical place for people to vent anger that's been felt for years and continues to build. There are few here who believe the government's new plan will help solve the issue of small boat arrivals any time soon.
