Summary

Consider the consequences, says chief constable

Live Reporting

Edited by Christiana Bishop, with reporting from Lewis Adams

  1. Watch press conference streamed live

    You will be able to watch the press conference live by clicking the "watch live" button at the top of this page.

    We're expecting it to get under way in about 15 minutes, so stick with us.

  2. 'Chilled' town has been thrust into the national spotlight

    Lewis Adams
    Live reporter in Essex

    A general view of Epping High Street in the town centre. Cars are being driven either side of the road, which is lined by shops and trees. This picture has been taken from a tall vantage point and shows shoppers by a traffic light crossing.Nigel Thompson/Geograph

    Epping has found itself at the centre of the national news agenda over the past 10 days.

    Controversy is not what the town is familiar with, being highly regarded for its ancient Epping Forest woodland and pleasant High Street.

    People living in Epping, who we spoke to this week, have described watching their "chilled" area turn into a hub of protests and tension.

    "It's not what you would expect really," said cafe owner Geoff Morris.

  3. Five people charged over the demonstrations

    A total of five men have been charged in connection with alleged offences that happened during the demonstration on Thursday 17 July.

    • Dean Smith, 51, of Madells in Epping, is accused of using or threatening the use of unlawful violence
    • Keith Silk, 33, of Torrington Drive in Loughton, Essex, faces charges of violent disorder and criminal damage
    • A 47-year-old man from Waltham Abbey, Essex, is accused of violent disorder
    • A 36-year-old man from Epping, faces the same charge
    • A 34-year-old man from Wickford, Essex, has been charged with failing to remove a face covering when directed by police

    None of the men have entered pleas to the charges yet.

    They are due to appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on 18 August

  4. When did the protests begin?

    The orange magistrates' court building, which has silver lettering on it that says "Magistrates' courts". It has a glass entrance and stairs are visible through glass to the leftLewis Adams/BBC

    Hadush Kebatu first appeared before Colchester Magistrates' Court on 10 July

    Unrest began in Epping - a town near the M25 in west Essex - after allegations were made about an asylum seeker living at The Bell Hotel.

    Hadush Kebatu was charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity on 7 and 8 July.

    During a hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on 17 July, it was said he arrived in the UK via a boat on 29 June.

    The 41-year-old denied the offences and was remanded in custody ahead of a two-day trial from 26 August.

    The first protest took place on 13 July and was followed by similar demonstrations on 17 and 20 July.

  5. Police to give update on protests at asylum hotel

    A large group of uniformed police officers standing in front of a large van, which is parked at the entrance to the Bell Hotel.PA Media

    Hello and welcome to our coverage of a press conference held by Essex Police this afternoon.

    The force is due to hold a press conference explaining its policing of demonstrations at The Bell Hotel over the past 10 days.

    More than 1,000 people have attended demonstrations across three days about the hotel being used to house asylum seekers.

    We will be giving you live updates from the conference in Chelmsford, so stick with us as we bring you more.