Nine Charged After Violent Protests Outside Essex, Norfolk Asylum Hotels

Two men, Phillip Curson and Martin Peagram, have been charged with violent disorder following a July 17 protest outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, which houses asylum seekers. The protest escalated into violent incidents targeting police and property, resulting in injuries to eight officers and damage to police vehicles. These charges bring the total number of individuals charged in connection with the Epping disorder to nine. Separately, two men, James Harvey and Luke Sharman, were charged with racially aggravated public order offences after a protest outside The Park Hotel in Diss, Norfolk, which also houses asylum-seeking families. Sharman was additionally charged with possession of cannabis. Local officials condemned the Diss protests, emphasizing the community's commitment to compassion and respect for asylum seekers, while the Home Office faces challenges with hotel owners opposing plans to house single male asylum seekers there.