Multiple Protests Erupt at Epping Hotel After Asylum Seeker Assault Charge

Dozens to hundreds of protesters have gathered repeatedly outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, which houses asylum seekers, following the charge of a 38-year-old asylum seeker accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The demonstrations have included chants such as "save our kids," "deport foreign criminals," and "defend our girls," with some protesters setting off flares and throwing bottles and smoke bombs at police vehicles. Essex Police have enforced a Section 60AA order under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, requiring removal of face coverings at the protests to prevent disorder, with some demonstrators defying this rule. Clashes during protests have led to injuries of eight police officers and arrests, including Keith Silk, who was charged with violent disorder and criminal damage. Police emphasized their commitment to allowing peaceful protest while maintaining public order, warning that violent or disorderly behavior would be dealt with robustly. The protests reflect local tensions over asylum policy and community safety concerns, with calls for continued weekly demonstrations until the hotel closes.