Epping asylum seekers now fear stepping outside their hotel due to ongoing protests and clashes in the area. Demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, have created an environment of tension and fear since mid-July.
Steve Smith, the CEO of refugee charity Care4Calais, said that protesters chased at least one resident while he walked to a nearby shop. “Some people told us they were followed while buying milk. It reminded them of the trauma they had escaped,” he explained.
Police have arrested 18 people and filed charges against 10 for their roles in the unrest. The situation worsened on July 17 when clashes injured eight police officers. Officers responded using crowd control measures to contain the violence.
Protesters also injured an 80-year-old volunteer by throwing a brick at him during one of the chaotic scenes. Smith described the mood among the asylum seekers as one of fear and anxiety. Many now choose to stay indoors rather than risk facing hostility on the streets.
The Bell Hotel has housed asylum seekers since 2020. Approximately 140 men live there today. On Thursday, Epping Forest District Council voted to call on the government to close the facility. Local leaders voiced concerns about a lack of resources to support the group.
One case involving a resident has increased public scrutiny. Authorities charged Hadush Kebatu, a 41-year-old Ethiopian national, with sexual assault, harassment, and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity. He denied all charges and remains in custody.
Chris Whitbread, leader of the council, said that the town lacks the necessary infrastructure to support the hotel’s residents. While expressing support for closing the facility, he also acknowledged that many asylum seekers had come from war-torn regions.
Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington warned against spreading misinformation online. He noted that rumors have led to real-world consequences, and called for the public to remain calm and cautious when discussing the case. Most protesters, he added, have behaved peacefully.
Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, blamed hostile rhetoric for inflaming tensions. “When people use dehumanizing language, they create a space where violence becomes more likely,” he said. He also warned that far-right groups have hijacked public concerns about asylum housing.
Despite these tensions, crime statistics paint a different picture. Epping recorded 2,000 fewer crimes in the year ending June 2024 compared to the same period in 2019. Overall, authorities logged 9,049 offenses during the most recent year.
Even so, some residents say they no longer feel safe. “I’ve lived here all my life and never seen anything like this,” said Whitbread. He emphasized that while fears may not match the data, they remain genuine and should not be dismissed.
The Home Office announced its plan to phase out asylum hotels and reduce tensions in affected communities. It stated that authorities would continue monitoring the situation and work to ensure both residents and asylum seekers remain safe.
As protests continue, the Epping asylum seekers remain in a difficult position. Many hoped to find safety and stability in the UK, yet now face fear and isolation once again—this time just outside their temporary shelter.
