Following a series of public demonstrations, a council has unanimously voted to urge the government to close a hotel accommodating asylum seekers.
Authorities have now arrested a total of 17 individuals in connection with unrest outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, stemming from multiple protests that began on July 13.
During a well-attended and often impassioned public meeting held on Thursday, Chris Whitbread, the Conservative leader of Epping Forest District Council, expressed concern that “our residents’ peaceful protests are being infiltrated on the extremes of politics.”
Police reported a large gathering outside the council offices during the meeting, as well as a peaceful demonstration taking place at the Bell Hotel.
Whitbread stated at the meeting, “I’m worried that Epping will become a focus and a battleground for the agendas of those extremist groups and they will continue to stoke tensions as part of their wider campaigns.”
Attendees observed protesters draped in England flags and Union Jacks standing behind fencing erected outside the hotel during the meeting.
Earlier in the day, law enforcement issued a warning that individuals wearing face coverings would be asked to remove them, with refusal leading to arrest.
Essex Police later confirmed the arrest of one individual for wearing a face covering at the hotel, noting that the protest remained peaceful. This marked the 17th arrest overall.
Ch Supt Simon Anslow acknowledged, “I want to thank those who are attending today and protesting peacefully.”
He added, “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.”
The demonstrations at the hotel began after a resident was charged with sexual assault, harassment, and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.
Hadush Kebatu, 41, from Ethiopia, has denied the charges and remains in custody on remand.
Whitbread emphasized, “The majority of Epping residents are peaceful while concerned that lasting harm is being done to their community.”
“Since it was first occupied during the pandemic this council has consistently maintained this hotel is the wrong location,” he added.
“It is occupied often by vulnerable people and there are not the facilities here to support them.”
During the meeting, Conservative councillor Holly Whitbread criticized councillors who had participated in or encouraged the protests.
While supporting the motion, she stated, “I would never knowingly stand next to neo-Nazis, which is what a member in this chamber did on Sunday.”
“My grandad fought in a war against these people. I think quite frankly anyone who stands side by side with them should hang their head in shame.”
Fellow Conservative councillor Shane Yerrell urged the council to avoid making assumptions about the protesters.
“It is not fair for anyone turning up at the protest to be branded a racist or a Nazi,” he asserted.
He concluded his remarks by reading a statement from the father of the alleged victim of sexual assault, which was met with a standing ovation from both the chamber and the public gallery.
Jaymey McIvor, representing Reform UK, supported the motion but expressed regret that more councillors had not visited the protests.
He stated, “The people of Epping are worried, they’re scared. And what they want in that scenario is to be listened to.”
McIvor then repeated claims, previously refuted by Essex Police, that “far left thuggery were escorted to the Bell Hotel,” prompting responses from other members, including “fake news” and “misinformation.”
McIvor’s statement concluded with a condemnation of violence and a call for the hotel’s closure, after which he received a standing ovation from the public gallery upon returning to his seat.
Liberal Democrat councillor Janet Whitehouse, who serves as the Epping Town mayor, expressed some sympathy for the asylum seekers, stating, “We don’t know the situation of the people placed there.”
“It’s very sad that the picture of Epping being seen nationally and internationally is one of violence,” she added.
A Home Office spokesperson stated on Thursday that the number of hotels being used for asylum seekers has decreased from over 400 in the summer of 2023 to less than 210.
“We’ll continue to work closely with local police and community partners, in Epping and across the country, as we fix this broken system,” they affirmed.
Of the 17 individuals arrested, six have been charged with offenses including violent disorder, criminal damage, and refusing to remove a face covering.
A dispersal order was in effect until 08:00 BST on Friday in response to further planned protests.
The order granted officers additional authority to direct individuals to leave the area or face arrest.
Epping residents have expressed divided opinions, with some supporting the protests while others conveyed feelings of unease to the BBC.
Jason, a 53-year-old man who declined to provide his last name, stated that the protests were “a long time coming.”
He elaborated, “I don’t think the violence is justified. I don’t think that the police help the situation by going in mob handed but they’ve got to do their job.”
“People are angry, so they’re going to react. I think the people here are justified in being angry.”
Tilly Nelson, a supermarket employee, suggested that social media had amplified the protests, facilitated the spread of misinformation, and transformed the protests into a spectacle.
She commented, “It’s like a social gathering to come together to put their mask on and have a go at the police.”
The 20-year-old noted that she has had only positive interactions with some of the men residing at the hotel, describing them as “the politest people.”
She expressed concern that the “narrative has completely changed.”
Additional reporting by Nadira Tudor.
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