A heavy police presence has descended on Epping ahead of a fourth protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.
The protests were originally sparked after an asylum-seeker was charged with sexual assault after he allegedly attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
A political row involving Reform leader Nigel Farage ensued after he called 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.
Earlier this afternoon, 16 people were arrested in connection with a demonstration outside the hotel last week.
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Migrant hotel threatens to close if only asylum-seeking men are housed on site Dramatic footage published as sixteen arrested over last week’s Epping protest Sort: Newest first Oldest first July 24, 2025 5:56 pmMigrant hotel threatens to close if only asylum-seeking men are housed on site
A migrant hotel has warned it will close if the Home Office begins placing men at the site instead of families.
The Park Hotel in Diss, Norfolk, said it is currently contracted to accommodate families only and has made clear to the Home Office that it “will have no alternative but to close” if that changes.
“The Park Hotel has been contracted by the Home Office to provide accommodation for families,” the hotel said in a statement shared to social media.
It added: “This arrangement presently remains in place, despite recent public statements suggesting otherwise.
“We have advised the Home Office and other stakeholders that should this situation change, and we are formally notified that the hotel will no longer operate as a family-only establishment, we will have no alternative but to close the Hotel.”
The hotel said there are currently “vulnerable families and children staying at the hotel – many of whom are feeling frightened and uncertain about recent events at the Hotel and their futures”.
“We ask for understanding and sensitivity from both the public and the media during this time, as we continue to provide support to those in our accommodation,” the statement added.
July 24, 2025 5:49 pmDramatic footage published as sixteen arrested over last week’s Epping protest
Essex police have published dramatic video of a home of an alleged Epping hotel anti-migrant protestor being raided as 16 are arrested over last week’s demonstration.
Essex Police said a small number of people had used a peaceful demonstration last Thursday as cover to commit violent disorder and criminal damage.
The protest, outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, 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.
Publishing a video on Facebook, Epping police said: “After a peaceful protest in Epping on 17 July was hijacked by a small group intent on violence, our officers have been working tirelessly to identify and arrest those responsible.”
Watch the full video here.
(Photo: Essex Police) July 24, 2025 5:38 pmPolice brace for further disorder outside Bell Hotel
Joe DugganSenior reporterIN EPPING
A fourth protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers is taking place in Epping at 6pm this evening.
Police are braced for further disorder after previous demonstrations sparked clashes with police at the Bell Hotel.
The protests in the Essex town were sparked after an Ethiopian asylum seeker was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
Less than an hour before today’s demonstration, at least 10 police vans from Essex and Metropolitan Police were seen making their way towards the hotel.
Other police vans were stationed opposite the hotel.
During the day, the atmosphere in the town appeared tense, with local residents concerned about fresh disorder.
Fencing surrounded the hotel, where a heavy police presence was in place.
A lorry carrying a placard saying “protect our kids” drove towards the hotel.
Passing motorists beeped their horns in support of demonstrators who had started to gather behind fenced off area opposite the hotel.
Previous nights have seen hundreds of protesters attending demonstrations that have been organised by members of the far right.
Police will be hoping that the contingency measures they have put in place for tonight, and rain throughout the day, will have deterred any troublemakers.
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