Latest news with #Epping
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Further charges after 'violence' at asylum hotel
Further charges after 'violence' at asylum hotel More than 1,000 people were estimated to have been at The Bell Hotel on Sunday [PA Media] Three more men have been charged after alleged violent disorder outside a hotel housing asylum seekers. Protests took place outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, on Thursday and Sunday, where police officers were injured during clashes. A 47-year-old and a 36-year-old man, both from the Epping Forest district, were charged with violent disorder on Tuesday, while a 34-year-old man from Wickford was accused of failing to remove a face covering. They were due to appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on 18 August, Essex Police said. Officers were granted extra power to force people to remove face coverings on Sunday. ADVERTISEMENT Ch Supt Simon Anslow said: "We will not hesitate to make arrests when criminality takes place." It followed Waitrose worker Dean Smith, of Madells in Epping, appearing before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court earlier. The 51-year-old entered no plea to a charge of using or threatening the use of unlawful violence, and was remanded in custody until the August hearing. Essex Police said the cost of policing the incidents at The Bell Hotel had reached £100,000 [PA Media] District Judge Christopher Williams was told of a WhatsApp group with 600 members who were planning to attend the hotel. Hundreds of people gathered on Thursday, with a smaller group of people holding a pro-refugee demonstration at the same time. The peaceful protests "quickly escalated" into violent disorder, prosecutor Elizabeth Connor told the court, with fireworks, eggs and bottles being thrown. She said more than 100 police officers attended but became "overwhelmed" by the protest. ADVERTISEMENT Ms Connor said Mr Smith attended the protest on Thursday and returned on Sunday, when he was arrested after being identified on several pieces of footage. Defending Mr Smith, Richard Moughton said his client attended for a "peaceful protest", and on the Thursday he returned home before a police dispersal order was put in place. [PA Media] Another protest staged on Sunday was attended by more than 1,000 people, with projectiles thrown towards police vans blocking the hotel entrance. Mr Smith was the second person to appear before magistrates in connection with protests at the hotel. Keith Silk, 33, of Torrington Drive in Loughton, Essex, appeared before Southend Magistrates' Court on Monday to deny violent disorder, but entered no plea to another charge of criminally damaging a sign at the hotel by shaking it. ADVERTISEMENT He was released on conditional bail, forbidding him from entering Epping and attending any protest in the UK, and will also appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on 18 August. The demonstrations followed a man living in the hotel being charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity. Hadush Kebatu, 41, from Ethiopia, has denied the offences and was remanded in custody during a hearing on Thursday. Two Conservative MPs in Essex - Neil Hudson and Alex Burghart - called for the hotel to be closed, while the Tory leader of Epping Forest District Council, Chris Whitbread, described it as a "powder keg" situation. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Related internet links
The Independent
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
‘A crisis boiling over': The Essex community divided over violent migrant protests
As smoke flares filled the air amid violent protests and heavy-handed clashes with police, the historic market town of Epping found itself at the centre of intense media attention – for all the wrong reasons. Just two days after the latest demonstration, which saw hundreds gather outside the Bell Hotel in Essex, which is believed to house asylum seekers, the mood has substantially quietened. But locals remain divided over the events that sparked the unrest that has plagued the former royal hunting ground for the past 10 days. While many who have protested against the use of migrant hotels have remained peaceful, holding signs reading 'I'm worried about my kids', others had different intentions, with smoke flares thrown towards police vans and eight officers in riot gear being forced to retreat, injured. Describing it as a 'crisis that has reached boiling point', the local Conservative MP Dr Neil Hudson has called for the dilapidated Bell Hotel to close. He said: 'This is a crisis that is boiling over and for the safety of our community, the government must get a grip on this situation now, and they must listen and act quickly to close the hotel. I continue to call on the government to immediately close the Bell Hotel, and I have raised this urgently in the House of Commons Chamber.' The violence was sparked when Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old Ethiopian asylum seeker reportedly living there, was charged with three counts of sexual assault after allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. He denied the charges at Chelmsford magistrates' court last Thursday and has been remanded in custody. But his court appearance failed to dampen local outrage. Around 1,000 people gathered outside the 79-room hotel on Sunday, with six people arrested and bottles thrown towards police. On Tuesday, the key indicator of recent unrest is the large metal barrier now surrounding the hotel, with warning signs against taking pictures or videos. Police officers are still stationed at the site, and a passerby stops to scan the windows for any sign of life inside. Among them is Craig, a 24-year-old local who helped organise the protests last week. Speaking from his car, he insists that the demonstrations were organised to protect local children, and this is not a race issue. 'I think it's unfair to label us as racist or far-right,' he said. 'I've never been to a protest in my life until the last three weeks. It's not so much about race, it's about the people who came. On Sunday, there were all sorts of races here protesting.' A father himself, he added that the protests were for the children's 'future', and called for migrants to enter the UK through a legal route. Describing the protests as 'mostly peaceful', he said: 'I organised the protests through word of mouth mostly. Obviously, once we'd done the first one, that was it – word of mouth spread and it was every Thursday and every Sunday.' It has now been rumoured that those residing at the hotel will now be moved to another part of London, with reports that another demonstration is planned for this weekend, with far-right leader Tommy Robinson potentially in attendance. But not all those who have stopped outside the hotel are anti-immigration. One man on a motorbike stops to call to a young man entering the hotel, to offer him the town's apologies. Another retired man, who wished to remain anonymous, had travelled from south London to visit the hotel after reading reports of the protests in the news. 'My father was Polish, so he came over in the war, so I do have a connection with people coming over to this country for reasons that are good, bad, and indifferent,' he said. 'But I do think we have closed the stable door after the horse has bolted.' He added that he had not been surprised to see the rioting, and added: 'It's not the kind of thing you expect in Epping, because it's a bit middle class and conservative. But whether it's the right place to put people who are waiting to be processed, I don't know.' Walking into the town centre, the incident remains a divisive topic. Speaking outside a bus stop, one couple simply responds: "It's been a fuss over nothing, media making it out to be a bigger deal than it is." Outside a newsagent's, a man describes the refugee hotel as a 'nightmare' and scoffs at the mention of the recent demonstrations. Others said they felt afraid of the possibility of further violence. One elderly couple, who did not wish to be named, said they had decided to rearrange a visit from their grandchildren in order to keep them away from any potential riots. 'It's meant to be to save our children, and yet my grandchildren can't come to the house,' she said. 'I think it's very disturbing. I've lived in Epping a long time, and I've never had hate near me like this. 'I knew as soon as I heard about it that it was going to have a snowball effect. I have never had any trouble from the refugees here.' She described Epping as a town 'still divided by Brexit' but added that while residents were far from united on the issue, she believed many involved in the violence had travelled in from elsewhere. 'Epping is a lovely town,' she said. 'But I think this has damaged its reputation. Today is the first day it feels peaceful since the riots started.' One particular concern for residents has been protesters travelling in from afar, deliberately to participate in violence. Speaking to The Independent, Craig said: 'A lot of people come from out of area, as long as you're coming for the right reasons, then anyone is welcome.' Meanwhile, the charity Hope Not Hate has said it has identified several individuals connected to the far-right in attendance. Its CEO Nick Lowles said: 'The allegations of sexual assault are deeply worrying, and the people of Epping are right to be concerned about this case. A man has been arrested and it's vital that the legal process is allowed to run its course. 'The events in Epping are a symptom of a recurring trend within the far right: co-opting the high emotions of local people to whip up hatred. The far right demonise and vilify all migrants, including the other innocent residents at the hotel, creating a climate of hatred and hatred locally. Sadly, violence is the result. 'The far-right is seeking to sow division in the local area, which does nothing to assist the victims of sexual abuse.' Local Conservative MP, Neil Hudson, said the scenes on Thursday and Sunday night were 'deeply troubling and unsettling', and he condemned the violence as 'completely unacceptable'. 'Police put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe. People quite rightly have the right to peaceful protest, but these violent scenes are not us, they are not Epping, and they are not what we stand for. It is deeply disturbing that people from outside Epping are coming to these protests not to support the real concerns of our local community, but to disrupt and cause violence.' He continued: 'As I said previously, I am deeply disturbed by the alleged sexual assaults in Epping the week before last, and my thoughts are with the victims, their families, and their peers.'
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Address immigration concerns or face more riots, Rayner tells Starmer
Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, has warned the government that the UK faces a repeat of last year's summer riots unless it addresses public concerns. She cited economic insecurity, immigration, increased online engagement, and declining trust in institutions as key factors contributing to potential unrest. Ms Rayner said that 17 of the 18 places most affected by last summer's disorder, in the wake of the Southport murders, were among the most deprived areas in the UK. Her warning follows recent violent protests in Epping, Essex, over an asylum hotel, which a local Conservative MP said has put the community 'at boiling point'. It is understood that Ms Rayner has been working on a community cohesion project for some time in the wake of the riots almost a year ago.
The Independent
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Rayner warns Starmer UK faces another summer of riots if Labour fails to deliver
Angela Rayner has issued an ultimatum to Sir Keir Starmer, warning that the UK faces a repeat of last year's summer riots unless 'the government shows it can address people's concerns'. In a dramatic intervention in the final cabinet meeting before the summer recess, the deputy prime minister said economic insecurity, immigration, the increasing time people spend online, and declining trust in institutions were having a 'profound impact on society'. She warned ministers that it was 'incumbent on the government to acknowledge the real concerns people have and to deliver improvements to people's lives in their communities' amid growing concerns that there could be a repeat of the unrest that scarred communities in the wake of the Southport murders last year. Her words come days after violent protests broke out in Epping, Essex, over an asylum hotel, which has put the community 'at boiling point', according to local Tory MP Neil Hudson. Calling on the government to deliver improvements to people's lives, Ms Rayner noted that 17 of the 18 places that saw the worst of the disorder last summer ranked at the top of the most deprived. She added that 'while Britain was a successful multi-ethnic, multi-faith country, the government had to show it had a plan to address people's concerns and provide opportunities for everyone to flourish'. The deputy prime minister highlighted her own Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)'s Plan for Neighbourhoods would deliver billions of pounds of investment over ten years in hundreds of the most deprived places, 'to restore pride in people's local areas and improve people's lives'. It is understood that she has been working on a community cohesion project for some time in the wake of the riots almost a year ago. Concerns have been raised over the way that Reform UK and Nigel Farage have sympathised with protesters around the Bell Hotel, in Epping, which houses asylum seekers. The intervention also comes as Ms Rayner's position in the government has been strengthened in recent weeks after she played a pivotal role in negotiating a deal with Labour rebels to prevent defeat on the welfare reforms. While she has repeatedly denied wanting to be prime minister, she is regularly discussed as the favourite to take over from Sir Keir if he is forced out as a result of poor elections in May next year. She is also expected to get an official Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in any government reshuffle after the summer. Responding to Ms Rayner, the prime minister's official spokesman said he was 'focused on taking action to ensure that we address people's concerns, people's very legitimate concerns'. 'And we start by acknowledging that those concerns are legitimate, and we start by dealing with the underlying causes of those concerns,' they added. Meanwhile, as violent scenes have continued in Epping, local Conservative MP, Neil Hudson, warned that outside groups are stoking up trouble. He said: 'People quite rightly have the right to peaceful protest, but these violent scenes are not us, they are not Epping, and they are not what we stand for. It is deeply disturbing that people from outside Epping are coming to these protests not to support the real concerns of our local community, but to disrupt and cause violence.' But he warned: 'This is a crisis that is boiling over, and for the safety of our community, the government must get a grip on this situation now, and they must listen and act quickly to close the hotel. I continue to call on the government to immediately close the Bell Hotel.'
BBC News
6 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Epping asylum hotel protests sees one man appear in court
A 51-year-old man has appeared before magistrates charged with violent disorder outside a hotel housing asylum took place outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, on Thursday and Sunday, where police officers were injured during worker Dean Smith of Madells in Epping was charged with one offence of using or threatening the use of unlawful entered no plea at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court and was remanded in custody to appear at the city's crown court in August. District Judge Christopher Williams was told of a WhatsApp group with 600 members who were planning to attend the of people gathered on Thursday, with a smaller group of people holding a pro-refugee demonstration at the same Connor, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, told the court the gathering of those opposing the housing of asylum seekers was initially peaceful, but "quickly escalated" into violent disorder, with fireworks, eggs and bottles being than 100 police officers attended, Ms Connor said, and officers became "overwhelmed" by the Conner said Mr Smith - who works full-time for Waitrose - had attended the protest on Thursday and returned on the Sunday, when he was arrested after being identified on several pieces of Mr Smith, Richard Moughton said his client had attended for a "peaceful protest", and on the Thursday he had returned home before a police dispersal order was put in is due to appear for a plea hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 18 August. Another protest staged on Sunday was attended by more than 1,000 people, with projectiles thrown towards police vans blocking the hotel Smith is the second person to appear before magistrates in connection with protests at the Silk, 33, of Torrington Drive in Loughton, Essex, appeared before Southend Magistrates' Court on Monday to deny violent disorder, but entered no plea to another charge of criminally damaging a sign at the hotel by shaking was released on conditional bail, forbidding him from entering Epping and attending any protest in the UK, and will also appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on 18 demonstrations followed a man living in the hotel being charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual Kebatu, 41, from Ethiopia, has denied the offences and was remanded in custody during a hearing on Conservative MPs in Essex - Neil Hudson and Alex Burghart - called for the hotel to be closed, while the Tory leader of Epping Forest District Council, Chris Whitbread, described it as a "powder keg" situation. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
