Violent clashes between police and protesters have erupted outside a hotel in Epping, Essex, following the arrest of an asylum seeker accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl. What began as a series of peaceful demonstrations quickly devolved into unrest, leaving eight police officers injured and sparking a broader debate over community safety, asylum housing policies and law enforcement response.

• Essex
• Asylum seeker

The tensions were triggered by the arrest of 38-year-old Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, an Ethiopian national currently seeking asylum in the UK. Kebatu was charged with assault by touching after allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl in a nearby park. At a hearing in Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, he denied the accusation. The charges immediately prompted public concern in Epping, where Kebatu was being accommodated at the Bell Hotel—a property being used by the Home Office to temporarily house asylum seekers.

• Ethiopia
• Chelmsford
• Home Office

Protests began outside the hotel during the weekend, initially drawing a modest crowd of local residents, concerned parents, and a number of political campaigners. According to witnesses, the first gatherings remained largely peaceful. But on Thursday night, July 17, tensions escalated dramatically when police moved in. A number of protesters accused the authorities of using disproportionate force. One demonstrator, who declined to be named, claimed that police “drove vans straight through the crowd,” igniting a violent response.

What followed was a chaotic scene. Demonstrators reportedly hurled eggs, bottles, and fireworks at officers and police vehicles. Video footage shared across social media appeared to show a police van’s windscreen being smashed, while officers in riot gear attempted to restore order. According to Essex Police, eight officers suffered injuries during the clashes, ranging from cuts and bruises to more serious hand injuries that required medical treatment.

• Social media
• Essex Police

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper condemned the violence, calling any attack on police “absolutely unacceptable.” Speaking the following day, he said, “Our officers are here to protect the public and to ensure everyone can express their views peacefully. What happened last night put people at risk, including those just observing.”

• Police rank

Essex Police confirmed that several arrests had been made in connection to the disturbances. Among those detained was one man suspected of affray, and another individual who was separately charged for allegedly racially abusing residents at the hotel earlier in the week. With tensions still simmering, police are now combing through extensive footage—including from drones, body-worn cameras, and footage posted online—to identify other individuals involved in the unrest.

• Essex Police

Simon Anslow, Chief Superintendent for Essex Police, emphasized that the actions of a few violent protesters did not reflect the broader local sentiment. “Criminal behaviour of this sort is not representative of Epping or Essex,” he stated. “We are working hard to hold those responsible to account, and we ask anyone with information to come forward.”

• Police
• Essex Police

Beyond the immediate events, the violence has reignited national debate around the government’s approach to asylum accommodations. Epping Forest District Council has called on the Home Office to suspend the practice of housing asylum seekers in local hotels, particularly the placement of single men in areas previously used for family groups. In a letter to central government, the council expressed “grave concern” over what it described as a mismatch between local infrastructure and the demands of such housing arrangements.

• Epping
• Home Office

Meanwhile, concerns have also been voiced over the role of online rhetoric in fueling the unrest. Police have warned that inflammatory posts on social media may have contributed to the escalation in violence, with unfounded rumours circulating widely in the days following Kebatu’s arrest. Authorities have asked the public to exercise caution in sharing unverified claims.

• Social media

The political dimensions of the protests were underscored by the appearance of independent journalist Tommy Robinson, known for high-profile campaigning on immigration-related issues. Filming outside the Bell Hotel during one of the demonstrations, he described the incident as proof that “illegals are abusing our country.” His involvement drew criticism from some local leaders, who feared the protests were being exploited to inflame public sentiment.

• Tommy Robinson

As of this weekend, a visible police presence remains outside the Bell Hotel, with officers conducting nightly patrols and spot checks. Although the larger protests have subsided, smaller groups continue to gather near the property, voicing concerns over community safety and local authority transparency.

The investigation into the alleged assault continues, with Kebatu expected to appear at a Crown Court hearing later this month. In parallel, Essex Police say their inquiry into the protests is active and ongoing. “This is not about where people come from,” said Chief Superintendent Anslow. “It’s about keeping our communities safe and upholding the law.”

• Crown Court
• Essex Police