Six arrested after ‘thuggery' 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'.
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.'
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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.
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