Police deny 'bussing' protesters to asylum hotel

Police previously said officers had been attacked during protests

A police force has denied it "bussed" pro-refugee protesters to a demonstration outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.

Essex Police said it was "categorically wrong" to suggest officers inflamed tensions during a protest at The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, on 17 July.

The pro-refugee group went on to clash with rival protesters, with Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington condemning the "thugs and vandals" responsible.

Essex Police said 10 arrests had been made during the protests after eight police officers and two members of hotel staff were injured.

More than 1,000 people have attended demonstrations across 13, 17 and 20 July after an asylum seeker was charged with sexual offences, which he has denied.

Ben-Julian Harrington told journalists that Epping had been targeted by a minority of "thugs and vandals"

Mr Harrington said the protests began peacefully but "escalated to the point of disorder and criminal damage".

But claims about counter-demonstrators being driven to the protests by officers led to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage calling for the chief constable to resign.

He accused Essex Police of being "absolutely disgraceful" in how it handled clashes between rival protesters, which led to missiles being thrown.

However, a spokesman for the force said the claims were "categorically wrong".

"Officers did provide a foot cordon around protesters on their way to the protest, where they and others were allowed to exercise their right to protest," he said.

"Later, some people who were clearly at risk of being hurt were also escorted by vehicle away from the area for their safety."

'Unacceptable violence'

Four men have been charged with violent disorder in connection to the protests on 17 July.

One of them was also accused of criminally damaging a hotel sign, while a fifth man was accused of refusing to remove a face covering.

In an update to the gathered media in Chelmsford, Essex, Mr Harrington thanked people who had behaved "peacefully and lawfully".

But he added: "What has been unacceptable has been the people who have come to Epping and committed violence, who have attacked people who work at the hotel, who have attacked officers, who have damaged property and who have caused fear and disruption to the people of Epping."

Police have been accused of "giving protesters lifts" to the demonstration

The chief constable said there was a robust operation in place ahead of future protests advertised online.

He urged people not to spread misinformation online, insisting it had "real world consequences".

Later on Wednesday, Essex Police announced a dispersal order had been put in place from 14:00 BST on Thursday to 08:00 on Friday "to ensure our community in Epping is safe".

The order will give officers the power to direct anyone suspected of committing anti-social behaviour, or planning to do so, to leave the area of face arrest.

Ch Supt Simon Anslow said: "We have identified a small group of people who are intent on committing anti-social behaviour which is not acceptable.

"This order will not prevent lawful and peaceful protest, but ensure people are safe both during and after the planned activity.

"We are considering the use of other powers available to us to ensure people can carry out their democratic right to protest safely."

A dispersal order has been put in place for Epping on Thursday and Friday

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.

Protests have also been staged outside the Britannia International Hotel in London's Canary Wharf after it was designated as asylum accommodation.

Andrew Wood, a former Tower Hamlets Conservative councillor, told the BBC the hotel became asylum housing within the past few days.

The Home Office refused to confirm if that was true, but denied rumours on social media that migrants from The Bell Hotel were being moved there.

However, a spokesman for Tower Hamlets Council said: "We are aware of the government's decision to use the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers."