Essex County Council has slammed the string of “spontaneous and planned protests” that have been taking place over the use of The Bell Hotel, Epping, as a migrant hotel. In an open letter on behalf of authorities and leaders, including Epping Forest District Council, the Epping Town Mayor and the MP for Epping Forest, the council argued that as a result of the demonstrations, residents “have experienced unprecedented levels of anxiety and disruption,” which has left them feeling “hurt and dismayed”.
While acknowledging the right to protest, the local civic leaders have claimed that there “have been several well-documented instances of lawlessness associated with the demonstrations”, which have “considerably” added to their residents’ “anxiety and concern”. They also claim that lives and local high street businesses have also been “upended”, including shop and office workers. Since July, when The Bell Hotel was first taken over as asylum seeker accommodation, thousands of people have taken to the streets in twice-weekly demonstrations in the Essex town against the move. Epping Forest District Council is trying to obtain an injunction to stop migrants from being housed at the site.
Scenes of violence during the protests have been played out on social media and national news, and the police continue to make arrests and bring people to court, those who signed the letter added, including District Council Conservative leader Chris Whitbread, the Lib Dem town Mayor Janet Whitehouse and local Tory MP Neil Hudson.
“We appeal to the organisers of the twice-weekly demonstrations to consider the wider feelings of the people of Epping they seek to represent,” the open letter continued. “As we come to the end of the summer, our community needs some respite from the on-going disruption.”
They continued: “We therefore say to you directly. Your demonstrations have placed Epping in the news headlines for weeks. Your voices have been heard. Now give our community breathing space.
“Allow Epping High Street to return to normal so that our businesses can trade, our children can go to school and our residents can go about their daily lives again. Thank you.”
The wave of demonstrations during the summer came after the arrest of Ethiopian Hadush Kebatu, who was staying at the hotel. He was found guilty of several offences, including the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. He is due to be sentenced on September 23.
Last month, the Court of Appeal overturned a temporary injunction granted by the High Court, meaning the migrants living at The Bell Hotel can remain there for the time being. However, a full High Court hearing to decide on a permanent injunction is expected in mid-October.
