Five local political leaders have demanded the Home Secretary make a hotel housing asylum seekers in Essex a "priority for urgent closure", warning that community tensions are putting an unsustainable strain on policing resources.
The politicians have requested an urgent meeting with Yvette Cooper to discuss the continued use of The Bell Hotel in Epping to house migrants. Essex Police said 14 people have been charged in connection with protests at the site, with 23 arrests made in total.
Multiple protests spark police concerns
Multiple demonstrations have been held outside The Bell Hotel since 13th July after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, who was charged with sexual assault, denies the charges and is due to stand trial in August.
The concerns have been outlined in an open letter sent to the Home Secretary on Wednesday. The signatories include Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Epping Forest, Alex Burghart, MP for Brentwood and Ongar, Councillor Christopher Whitbread, Leader of Epping Forest District Council, and Councillor Kevin Bentley, Leader of Essex County Council.
Thousands attend counter-demonstrations
In the letter, the politicians argue that housing migrants at the site is "proving to be entirely unsuitable and placing an unsustainable strain on police resources". They added this is "creating significant community tension, and leading to public disorder that is unacceptable to our residents and deeply concerning for the safety of all involved".
The letter states that "large-scale protests and counter-protests" on several days saw "more than 2,000 people attending across all dates". During these events, eight Essex Police officers have been injured, with one requiring hospitalisation after being struck in the face with a bottle.
Officers brought in from neighbouring forces
Officers from neighbouring forces have been brought in to support local resources, the politicians said. "This simply cannot continue," they wrote, adding: "While we respect the public's right to peaceful protest, the level of violence now seen on Epping's streets is alarming."
The signatories warn that police deployments at the hotel are "putting our ability to maintain public safety at risk". They say they support the Home Office's wider objective of reducing reliance on hotels and are keen to work with the Government.
Urgent decommissioning requested
However, they urge Cooper to "accelerate this process and make The Bell Hotel in Epping a priority for urgent closure". The letter states: "It is vital that this location be reconsidered considering the operational realities on the ground."
The politicians conclude by urging "that The Bell Hotel be made a priority for urgent decommissioning" due to the ongoing strain on local police resources and community tensions.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
