Man on violent disorder charge over hotel protest

People protesting gainst the use of the hotel - and pro-refugee demonstrators - were at the site on Thursday

A man has been charged with violent disorder and criminal damage following a protest outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers.

Hundreds of people gathered outside The Bell in Epping, Essex, on Thursday night, with several officers injured and police vehicles damaged.

Essex Police said a 33-year-old man from Loughton was arrested on Saturday and questioned by detectives from its serious crime directorate.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The man's arrest was the third in connection with demonstrations at the hotel.

A 65-year-old man from Harlow is due before Chelmsford magistrates in September, charged with affray over an alleged assault near the hotel on 13 July.

A man arrested on Thursday for failing to comply with a dispersal order was later released on conditional bail.

"Our investigations into the incidents which followed a peaceful protest in Epping on Thursday evening are continuing at pace and we thank the public for sharing vital information," police said.