Essex Police have forcefully denied allegations that they transported anti-racism demonstrators to a protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping, calling the claims 'categorically wrong'. The accusation, repeated by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and others, relates to violence that erupted after a protest near the Bell hotel.
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington used a press conference on Wednesday to push back against the claims, which were fuelled by social media footage. The force said officers organised a foot cordon for counter-protesters and later used police vans to remove those deemed at risk when surrounded by hostile groups, but did not drive anyone to the site.
Ten people have now been arrested in connection with the disorder, which broke out after an asylum seeker was charged with sexual assault. Far-right activists have been prominent in organising protests online, and local residents have also been involved. A dispersal order covering the town centre and transport hubs is in place until Friday morning.
Tiff Lynch, chair of the Police Federation, warned in a newspaper article that the disorder was 'not just a troubling one-off' but a signal flare highlighting how ill-prepared the police remain. She said local commanders are forced to choose between 'keeping the peace at home or plugging national gaps'.
Police are braced for further protests on Thursday evening and Sunday. Mr Harrington said the force would examine evidence of any group organising the protests and investigate potential incitement to violence, urging people to 'consider the consequences in the real world of your actions'.
