Two people have been charged following protests against a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping on Sunday. Essex Police announced the charges on Tuesday after demonstrators marched on the town's council offices.
Sarah White, 40, of Luxborough Lane, Chigwell, faces charges of failing to comply with the conditions of participation of a procession and being a public procession organiser failing to comply with a notice. She was arrested on suspicion of breaching a Section 14 order that designated where people could assemble. White has been bailed to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on 15th October.
Scott Davey, 32, of Wheelers Close, Nazeing, has been charged with failing to comply with the conditions of participation in a public assembly. He was also arrested on suspicion of breaching the Section 14 order and has been bailed to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on 31st October.
Third arrest over racial hatred allegations
A 22-year-old man from Epping was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage. The arrest relates to allegations that a banner was set alight on Friday. He has been released on conditional bail until 28th November.
The Section 14 order put in place by police designated a protest area marked by low fencing across the road from the Bell Hotel. The order stipulated that protest activity had to end by 8pm on Sunday.
Police defend arrest decisions
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said Essex Police consistently seeks to facilitate lawful protest. "We put plans in place on Sunday to prevent serious disruption to the lives of our Epping residents, which remains at the forefront of our minds, as well as to prevent serious disorder, violence and damage to property," he said.
Hooper addressed social media suggestions that an arrest was made because someone unfurled a flag during the demonstration. "I want to be really clear - that is categorically wrong," he said. "Any suggestion that this was the case is completely false. Unfurling or putting up a flag is not a criminal offence, and nobody has been arrested for doing that."
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
