Police and protesters have engaged in a stand-off outside a hotel housing migrants as Britain enters a second week of large-scale demonstrations aimed at venues connected to the asylum seeker crisis. Large gatherings have occurred across the country over the past eight days, with disturbances in Norfolk, London, Leeds, and in Essex, all focused on hotels suspected of being used to accommodate people who have arrived in the UK seeking asylum.
According to UK Home Office provisional statistics, almost 24,000 people have landed in the UK in 2025 by crossing the Channel illegally in small boats launched from beaches in northern France. Yesterday (Saturday), a man died attempting the crossing. Once the arrivals are processed, most are then housed in hotel rooms paid for by the taxpayer in a scheme which many have called for Sir Keir Starmer to shut down.
But the Government has announced a new ‘elite unit’ of police to monitor public demonstrations outside suspected migrant hotels, with social media accounts of protesters also being targeted.Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the plans for the unit as “sinister” and “the beginning of the state controlling free speech”
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Pictures have emerged today (Sunday) of protesters and police facing off outside The Bell Hotel, in Epping, Essex, where demonstrations have been ongoing since an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
Essex Police have imposed restrictions to curb any violence or disorder ahead of the fresh protests outside the hotel being used to house migrants.
The force said protest restrictions are necessary and proportionate, citing repeated serious disruption, violence, and harm to the community. It added that anyone wearing face coverings will be banned, and designated sites opposite the hotel will be set up for protesters.
A dispersal order will be in effect from 12pm on Sunday until 8am on Monday, covering Epping town centre and nearby transport hubs. The order gives officers the power to remove anyone suspected of anti-social behaviour.
Far-right political activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, said on his X account on July 20 that he was “coming to Epping next Sunday … and bringing thousands more with me”.
In a later post, Robinson said he may no longer be attending. Essex Police said that residents have reported feeling “trapped”, fearful of leaving their homes and anxious about protest activity.
Hotel residents and staff have been advised to remain indoors after 5pm as some have experienced verbal and physical harassment, including a resident chased and injured while returning to the hotel, the force added.
Essex Police said there was an “escalation of violence” during protests on July 13, 17, 20 and 24, involving hundreds of people. The force added that officers were assaulted, missiles were thrown, vehicles were vandalised and the hotel sustained broken windows and graffiti.
Essex Police said on Saturday that two more men have been charged and will appear in court after the disorder. It comes after 10 people were charged in relation to the disorder, Essex Police said.
Meanwhile, there was a peaceful protest outside a hotel reportedly housing migrants in Bowthorpe near Norwich on Saturday.
Norfolk Police arrested two men in their 20s on suspicion of affray following demonstrations outside hotels in Diss and Bowthorpe last week. There have also been protests outside the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf which is reportedly set to be used to offer temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.
The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, with sexual assault after he allegedly attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
He denied the charge at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court and will stand trial in August.