Six arrested after bottles and flares thrown during another protest outside Essex hotel
More than 100 protesters gathered outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, on Sunday evening
Six people have been arrested after dozens of protesters gathered once again outside an Essex hotel believed to house asylum seekers.
More than 100 demonstrators assembled outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Sunday evening, with some chanting “save our kids”.
The gathering escalated into what police described as “mindless thuggery” as participants injured a police officer and damaged a police vehicle.
Bottles and smoke flares were later thrown towards police vans blocking the entrance to the hotel on the High Road.
The force said a total of six people had been arrested and were 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 said four individuals were arrested on were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with offences alleged to have happened during last Thursday’s protest, which later turned violent.
The fifth was arrested after an unmarked police car was damaged.
Essex Police also said there were “angry and violent scenes” when a woman walked through the crowds outside the hotel.
It said: “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.”
In an update at 11:15pm, police said all protesters had been dispersed.
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.
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