Bottles and smoke flares thrown in hotel protest

Six people have been arrested following the latest protest outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Essex.

Bottles and smoke flares were thrown towards police vehicles during the demonstration which saw more than 1,000 people gathered outside the Bell Hotel in Epping.

Ch Supt Simon Anslow said it was disappointing to see the protest escalate into "mindless thuggery".

The disorder followed the arrest and charge of an asylum seeker last week on suspicion of alleged sexual assaults in the town.

Downing Street said the scenes at Epping were "clearly unacceptable".

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: "Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, but its clearly unacceptable to see police coming under attack as they ensure that peaceful protest is able to take place."

He said people who protested peacefully, lawfully and responsibly "cause us and the wider public no concern".

The six protesters have been kept in police custody:

Police officers from Norfolk and Suffolk were drafted in to help police the protests on Sunday, and one officer from Norfolk was struck on the face with a bottle.

He was treated in hospital and has since been discharged.

"Our cells, which have been filling up throughout the evening, are ready for you," Ch Supt Anslow warned in a statement.

"I think I speak for all of us – including the people of Epping – when I say weve had enough of your criminality."

Police put in place a Section 35 dispersal order to "prevent further crime or anti-social behaviour" overnight.

Demonstrators on Sunday chanted "send them home" and "save our kids", as projectiles were thrown towards police vans blocking the entrance to the hotel.

Many had travelled from across the UK, with one woman from Scotland telling the BBC she felt compelled to "support local people and get the asylum seekers out".

Police also surrounded a counter-protester, an elderly woman, before escorting her out of the area as masked protesters followed her and shouted abuse.

Unrest at the site on Thursday led to three arrests after eight police officers were injured.

Plans for Sundays protest prompted Essex Police to announce a section 60AA order requiring the removal of face coverings until 04:00 on Monday.

One man was earlier charged with violent disorder and criminal damage following previous clashes outside the hotel.

A spokesperson for the force added: "We will deal robustly and quickly with anyone intent on coming into Epping to commit selfish criminal behaviour.

"The right to peaceful protest is protected by law and allows everyone freedom of expression, but this must be done respectfully, and if there is a risk to public order, we will act appropriately."

The order is in place around Epping, including its Tube station.

Neil Hudson, the towns Conservative MP, told the House of Commons the demonstrations had been "challenging and distressing" for the police.

He said churches had cancelled services, businesses had closed early and residents felt like they were "barricaded" in their own homes.

"People quite rightly have the right to peaceful protest, but these violent scenes are not us. They are not Epping," said Hudson.

He renewed the same call he made last week, for the government to "close this hotel immediately".

Thursdays demonstration was one of a series of protests outside the hotel since 41-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexual assault - after an incident where he is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl.

He denied the charge when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Thursday.

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