VIOLENT protesters were seen clashing with police outside a migrant hotel on Thursday evening.
The tense demonstration outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, came after an asylum seeker appeared in court charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
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Protests outside a migrant hotel in Epping, Essex, turned violent yesterday as masked thugs were seen jumping on a police vanCredit: Niyak Ghorbani via Storyful
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At one point, a demonstrator could be seen jumping on top of a police van
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Thugs were also seen kicking and attacking police vansCredit: Niyak Ghorbani via Storyful
Masked protesters could be seen attacking police vehicles outside the building – which has been operating as an asylum hotel for the past five years.
Children in balaclavas were seen alongside men and women as they blocked the road to the hotel.
The protest had reportedly started peacefully before a group of hardcore agitators stopped three Essex Police riot vans from driving past the hotel to support their colleagues.
Shortly before 8pm, masked protesters launched their attack – repeatedly punching and kicking the police vehicles.
One man could be overheard shouting “smash it, smash it” as officers sat trapped inside.
A number of thugs then clambered onto the roof of the vans, before jumping up and down.
The van was eventually forced to flee the scene with its back doors wide open.
Violent protesters also threw fireworks and bottles at police, who were protecting anti-racism counter-protesters.
Other footage shows thugs attacking a police van by kicking and punching it.
The masked protesters even try to open the van’s doors before one jumps on the front bumper, slapping the bonnet of the vehicle as it backs up.
Hundreds of asylum seekers living in tax-funded hotels have been charged with crimes such as rape, robbery & GBH
A broken wing mirror could also be seen on the floor next to the riot van before it was picked up and launched by one of the demonstrators.
The unrest began after asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was arrested and later charged with three counts of sexual assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and one count of harassment without violence.
He appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 10, and denied all the alleged offences before being charged yesterday.
His arrest, however, led to multiple protests in the region, culminating in this Thursday’s violence.
One man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of affray, following reports of an assault during Sunday’s protest, police said.
On Sunday, two security guards were seriously assaulted by a group of men at a bus stop in the town.
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Thursday’s unrest had begun largely peacefully before scenes turned dark in the eveningCredit: Alamy
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The demonstrators had initially gathered to protest against the housing of an asylum seeker charged with assaulting a 14-year-old girlCredit: Alamy
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Counter-protesters from Stand Up To Racism were also seen outside the hotelCredit: Alamy
“We have closed a section of High Road, Epping, for the safety of the public and those protesting,” Essex Police said.
“We will not tolerate any criminality on our streets, whether linked to protesting or not,” the force added.
“One man has already been arrested at today’s protest on suspicion of affray following reports of an assault near The Bell Hotel in Epping on Sunday July 13.
“He will be taken into custody while our inquiries continue.”
Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: “Disruption and offending is never an appropriate response, no matter the strength of feeling in this case, and on this issue.
“People protesting peacefully, lawfully and responsibly cause us – and the wider public – no concern.
“However, we can never, and will never, tolerate criminal behaviour of any sort and anyone identified as committing crime will be dealt with robustly.”
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Demonstrators used smoke and flares during the protestCredit: Alamy
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Thursday marked the third day of unrest, following Mr Kebatu’s arrest last weekCredit: Alamy
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Police separating the anti-immigration protesters from counter-demonstratorsCredit: Alamy