A third person has been arrested following violent clashes outside a hotel in Essex believed to be housing asylum seekers. Eight police officers were injured during what began as a peaceful protest outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Thursday evening.
A 33-year-old man from Loughton was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of violent disorder and criminal damage, Essex Police said. He remains in custody awaiting questioning.
Court appearance scheduled
Dean Walters, 65, of Corner Meadow in Harlow, has been charged with affray and will appear at court in September following a separate protest on Sunday. A second man arrested for breaching a dispersal order has been released on conditional bail.
Thursday's demonstration was the latest in a series of protests outside the hotel since 38-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexual assault. He is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
Charges denied in court
Kebatu denied the charge when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Thursday. The incident has sparked ongoing tensions in the local community.
Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said the events in Epping on Thursday were "shocking and have no place in our neighbourhoods". He acknowledged the local community's concerns whilst supporting everyone's right to peaceful protest.
Police defend impartial approach
Anslow addressed inflammatory comments on social media suggesting police were supporting certain protesters. "This is categorically not true," he said, emphasising that officers police "without fear or favour, remaining impartial at all times".
The senior officer stressed that police have legal responsibilities to facilitate peaceful protest. He warned that officers will act "robustly and swiftly towards anyone intent on disrupting the local community's right to have their voices heard".
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
