Violence Erupts During Anti-Migrant Protests, Police Assaulted Epping, Essex

Violent disorder erupted during a protest at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, which is used to temporarily house asylum seekers, following the arrest of an asylum seeker charged with sexual assault. The initially peaceful protest escalated as masked far-right activists, some linked to extremist groups, joined and incited violence, resulting in attacks on police officers and their vehicles, with eight officers injured and two arrests made. Essex Police condemned the violence, emphasizing their commitment to protecting the community and prosecuting offenders, while maintaining a visible presence to prevent further unrest. The protests have been marked by clashes between anti-migrant demonstrators and smaller pro-refugee groups, with concerns raised about the manipulation of local anxieties by far-right groups promoting xenophobic and racist narratives. Authorities urged peaceful and lawful expression of views but stated that criminal violence would not be tolerated. The incident has drawn wider attention from far-right circles online, some calling for further unrest across the country.