Image Credit: SOPA Images / Contributor / Getty 
Violent scenes unfolded in the Essex town of Epping on Thursday evening as hundreds of residents and anti-mass migration protesters demonstrated outside a hotel housing asylum seekers. The protest, initially described as peaceful and involving local families, escalated when masked counter-protesters arrived, prompting the deployment of riot police.
The protests were triggered by the arrest earlier in the week of Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 41-year-old Ethiopian asylum seeker, on multiple charges, including three counts of sexual assault and one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity. The incidents allegedly occurred in Epping town center on July 7 and 8, just days after Kebatu arrived in the UK by boat on June 29.
Kebatu had his first hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. According to prosecutors, Kebatu tried to kiss a schoolgirl eating pizza near Epping High Street, and the next day approached her again and allegedly attempted to kiss her. He is also accused of touching a woman near a fish and chip shop and calling her “pretty.”
Kebatu, who gave his address as High Road, Epping — home to The Bell Hotel where he had been housed — denied all charges. He has been remanded in custody pending a two-day trial scheduled for Aug. 26.
News of his arrest ignited public anger. On Thursday evening, demonstrators gathered outside The Bell Hotel, chanting “Protect our kids.” Among the crowd were parents, grandparents, and children, joined by anti-immigration campaigners with banners and loudspeakers.
🇬🇧🚨 BREAKING: Unrest breaks out in the English town of Epping, clashes with police caught on video.
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) July 17, 2025
Residents are outraged after reports that a young girl was sexually assaulted by an immigrant. pic.twitter.com/uyXnivoGc5
However, tensions flared when self-proclaimed anti-fascist activists arrived, resulting in confrontations and a heavy police presence. Bottles were reportedly thrown at police vans, and video footage circulated online showing officers clashing with protesters. One protester appeared to be struck by a police van, which then left the scene without checking on his welfare.
🧵 1/2
— Adam Brooks AKA EssexPR 🇬🇧 (@EssexPR) July 17, 2025
There was two very different situations tonight in Epping.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Bell Hotel to protest the migrant hotel in town, one that has seen numerous incidents against local women and children.
THIS WAS PEACEFUL AND FULL OF ELDERLY, OF WOMEN & KIDS pic.twitter.com/MXBXXFQEy4
Essex Police confirmed one person had been arrested on suspicion of affray and that one officer suffered minor neck injuries. The force also confirmed it had requested support from the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police to manage the unrest.
Epping Forest District Council leader Chris Whitbread echoed local frustration about the use of the hotel as an asylum center, telling GB News: “It’s an inappropriate location… just around the corner from a school. We were never consulted; it was dumped on us by the Home Office.”
🚨 Epping Forest Council Leader calls for asylum hotel closure:
— GB News (@GBNEWS) July 17, 2025
‘It’s an inappropriate location… just around the corner from a school. We were never consulted, it was dumped on us by the Home Office.’
Chris Whitbread warns local tensions are rising as protests mount. pic.twitter.com/8DOSifYt2h
Adam Brooks, a broadcaster and GB News commentator who attended the protest, wrote on X: “I’ve now left the scene, absolute chaos in Epping. This started as a peaceful demonstration with parents, grandparents, and school kids, but then the so-called ‘anti-fascists’ turned up in masks, and it all kicked off. A sad day for this area. These migrant hotels must be closed.”
I’ve now left the scene, absolute chaos in Epping. This started as a peaceful demonstration with parents, grandparents and school kids, but then the so called ‘anti fascists’ turned up in masks and it all kicked off.
— Adam Brooks AKA EssexPR 🇬🇧 (@EssexPR) July 17, 2025
A sad day for this area.
These migrant hotels must be closed. pic.twitter.com/ivVSOa4bvu
Local MPs Neil Hudson and Alex Burghart have also called for the closure of the hotel, citing community safety concerns and the proximity to local schools.
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 behavior of any sort.
Essex Police said their response would continue in the days ahead, and that anyone involved in criminal conduct during the protests would be identified and prosecuted “robustly.”
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