Shivani Chaudhari
BBC News, Essex
PA Media
Anti-migrant protesters and pro-immigration counter-protesters were kept apart by police as they staged rival demonstrations in Epping
Thousands of anti-migrant protesters and pro-immigration counter-protesters have been demonstrating outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Essex.
Between 300 and 400 anti-migrant protesters were at the The Bell Hotel, Epping, according to BBC journalist James Bryant.
Some were waving St George’s flags while others had banners and signs with slogans including: “Protect our kids”.
But they were greatly outnumbered by an estimated 2,000 counter-protesters, many of whom were chanting: “Say it loud, say it clear – refugees are welcome here.”
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Protests began at The Bell Hotel in Epping, which is being used to house asylum seekers, on 13 July
They were carrying posters, banners and placards with slogans including “Unity is strength” and “Stand up to racism”.
Protests, including some violent clashes, began at the hotel on 13 July after a man living there was arrested and subsequently charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.
Hadush Kebatu, 41, from Ethiopia, has denied the offences and is in custody.
Police said 2,000 pro-immigration counter-protesters made their way to the hotel from the town’s station to a pen close to the anti-migrant protest.
They were surrounded by police officers who kept the two groups apart from each other.
Meanwhile, some of the anti-migrant protesters were singing along to patriotic music, including Rule, Britannia!.
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Protesters gathered at the hotel with banners and St George’s flags
PA Media
Some protesters sang along to patriotic music outside the hotel
Simon Dedman, a BBC reporter at the scene, said Reform UK district councillor Jaymey McIvor was among the crowd, and a Reform UK flag could be seen among the union jacks and St George’s flags.
One man was pinned to the ground by police and put in a police van near the anti-racism protests.
The pro-immigration protesters have moved away from the hotel and appear to be walking in the direction of Ivy Chimneys Road and Theydon Bois.
Meanwhile, dozens of anti-migrant protesters have started to leave the common opposite The Bell Hotel, heading towards Epping town centre.
Reuters
About 2,000 pro-immigration counter-protesters were at the scene
As well as Essex Police, officers from the Metropolitan, Durham, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, West Midlands, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Cheshire, Dyfed-Powys and Hampshire forces were at the scene.
British Transport Police has also been involved in the operation.
Simon Dedman/BBC
The pro-immigration protesters made their way from the town’s railway station to an area close to the hotel
Police stood between the rival groups as the pro-immigration group made their way back to the Tube station.
There was some verbal confrontation between the two factions.
Simon Dedman/BBC
The county force has put a dispersal order in place from 12:00 BST on Sunday to 08:00 on Monday, covering the town centre, transport hubs and networks.
This gives police the power to direct anyone suspected of committing anti-social behaviour, or planning to do so, to leave the area or face arrest.
Ten people have been charged with offences in relation to this month’s disorder in the town, with defendants due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on 18 August.
On Saturday, about 400 anti-immigration protesters and 150 counter-protesters gathered for a demonstration outside a hotel in the Norwich area.
Police said no arrests were made there.