Demonstrators gathered once again on Sunday outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, believed to be accommodating asylum seekers. The protest follows recent unrest at the site and precedes a court appearance scheduled for Monday involving a man charged in connection with previous disturbances.
Over 100 people assembled at the hotel on July 20, chanting slogans such as “save our kids” and displaying placards with messages like “deport foreign criminals,” “we go home when they go back,” and “defend our girls.” Police maintained a heavy presence, blocking access to the hotel with vans. Some protestors responded by throwing bottles and smoke flares.
Tensions escalated after an earlier protest last Thursday turned violent, leaving eight police officers injured. Authorities had initially described that gathering as peaceful.
Keith Silk, 33, from Loughton, is due to appear before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday. He was arrested Saturday and faces charges of violent disorder and criminal damage.
Background to the Unrest
The recent wave of protests began after 38-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. He is accused of attempting to kiss the girl and has denied the allegations during a court appearance on July 17.
These demonstrations are unfolding amid growing national debate over the government’s use of hotels to accommodate asylum seekers. Many communities, including Epping, have expressed concerns about safety and the suitability of such arrangements.
On Sunday, demonstrators once again faced off with police outside the Bell Hotel. While most held signs or chanted, some wore masks or balaclavas, and a minority threw objects at law enforcement vehicles.
Political Response
Local Conservative MPs Neil Hudson (Epping Forest) and Alex Burghart (Brentwood and Ongar), along with Epping Forest District Council Leader Chris Whitbread, have strongly urged the Home Office to stop housing asylum seekers at the Bell Hotel.
In a joint statement, Hudson and Burghart said:
“The continued use of asylum hotels in the district is deeply troubling. From recent fires at local hotels to allegations of sexual assault, the community is rightfully alarmed. It’s clear the Home Office lacks control over this situation and has failed to prioritize both community safety and the welfare of hotel residents.”
They are calling for the immediate closure of both the Bell and Phoenix Hotels and have requested an urgent meeting with the Home Secretary.
Whitbread added that the council had long warned the Home Office that the Bell Hotel was an inappropriate location, and he welcomed the backing of local MPs in pressing for its closure.
National Context
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer previously pledged to end the use of hotels for asylum accommodation, aiming to save public funds. However, questions remain—some even from Labour backbenchers—about whether the government is making real progress in reducing the asylum backlog or transitioning individuals to more stable housing.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister responded to the latest protests by stressing that while the right to protest is fundamental, it must not cross into criminal behavior. The government, they added, remains committed to phasing out the use of asylum hotels as part of its broader immigration policy.
