Epping protests LIVE: Police in riot gear as anti-migrant protests and counter-demo erupt outside Bell Hotel

Pictured: Anti-migrant protesters gather outside Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf

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Protests begin in Epping as rival groups clash ahead of migrant hotel demo

Demonstrations have begun near the Bell Hotel in Epping, where both anti-migrant protesters and counter-protesters from Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) have gathered.

Tensions flared as some anti-migrant demonstrators began filming, prompting confrontations with members of the counter-protest.

Chants of “Tommy Robinson is a fascist,” “Farage is a racist,” and “stand up, fight back” were heard from the SUTR group as the protest got underway.

Police remain on the scene, including officers in riot gear, as a major operation continues to prevent further disorder following previous violence outside the hotel.

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Pictured: Anti-migrant protesters gather outside Bell Hotel in Epping

(Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)

(Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)

Protesters and counter-demonstrators gather in Epping

Protesters and counter-demonstrators have gathered in Epping.

A group was seen near The Bell Hotel with Union flags on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Stand Up to Racism counter-protesters were situated outside Epping Station ahead of a march to the hotel.

They held signs reading “Stop scapegoating refugees and migrants”.

Weyman Bennett, co-convener of Stand Up To Racism, said that volunteer security personnel will accompany them.

He added: “We’re happy to demonstrate but we’re not happy to be attacked by thugs, racists and hooligans.”

One man was seen being taken away from the station area by two officers, though it was not clear if he was part of any group.

Stand Up To Racism organiser: ‘Fascist group using Epping assault to stir up violence’

Sabby Dhalu, 46, an admin worker from London and organiser with Stand Up To Racism, said recent events in Epping show a “fascist organisation stirring up violence and racism” in the community.

She told The Standard: "What we've seen in Epping over the last few weeks is a fascist organization stirring up violence and racism in Epping.

“They're seizing on a horrific crime or the sexual assault committed by an asylum seeker, they're seizing on that in order to stir up racism and violence, and that's very similar to what we saw with the horrific murders and attacks in Southport last year, which ignited a load of rioting by the far right who were winding up others to get involved in racist rioting and violence.

“So we're clearly seeing a similar attempt to use that sexual assault to wind up local communities, stir up racism, stir up violence.

"And so we're here to stand up to that, because we think that's wrong, to wind up people in a local area, to cause trouble in a local area and to stir up racism is obviously morally wrong, and it's important that we unite against that racism and fascism, mobilize against it and stand up to it and challenge it."

Pictured: Stand Up To Racism crowd grows ahead of Epping protest

(Bill Bowkett/ES)

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Helmets, riot gear and rising tensions as anti-racism protesters face off with far-Right in Epping

Dozens of officers are in attendance at Epping Underground Station — some with riot gear and helmets, with multiple police vans and cars.

Counter-protesters are gathering at the station before making the 30-minute walk to The Bell Hotel

Lewis Nielson, of Stand Up To Racism, told The Standard: “We are here today because it has been exposed that the people organising the anti-refugee protest outside The Bell Hotel are members of a neo-nazi group (The Homeland Party).

“These are admirers of Adolf Hitler, antisemites, Islamophobes and hardcore fascists. We think it’s quite a dangerous situation because Reform UK’s Epping branch have teamed up with them. Nigel Farage and Lee Anderson are giving these people cover.

“They are tacitly supporting them and saying they are legitimate in what they are doing. We fear we will see the same level of violence as last summer. Our demonstration is an opposition to the far-Right and of unity against scapegoating.

“Any issues of sexual assault and harassment should be taken incredibly seriously. But the reality is these serious issues are being seized on in a hypocritical and cynical way by the far-Right.

Expecting hundreds of people from across the area to demonstrate (Epping, Essex, Waltham Forrest)

“We know that if they have a victory in Epping, they will target every migrant hotel in the UK. This is a flashpoint.”

“Out of order of Farage to blame the anti-racism protesters for the violence last week.”

Pictured: Stand Up To Racism members in hi-vis jackets gather ahead of Epping protest

(Ben Lucas)

Canary Wharf locals protest use of Britannia hotel for migrants

Two men charged with public order offence after Diss hotel protest

Two men have been charged with public order offences after a protest outside a hotel in Diss, Norfolk Constabulary has said.

They were arrested on Saturday after police reviewed footage from both sides of a protest that took place on Denmark Street on Monday, the force said.

James Harvey, 22, of Linden Drive, Hethersett, has been charged with a racially aggravated public order offence.

Luke Sharman, 23, of Harcourt Close, Norwich, has been charged with a racially aggravated public order offence and possession of cannabis.

They have both been bailed to appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on September 16.

Pictured: Police gather in Epping ahead of migrant hotel protests

(Ben Lucas)

(Ben Lucas)

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Residents feel 'trapped' as harassment fears grow around migrant hotel protests

Residents have told Essex Police they feel “trapped” in their homes and fearful of going outside due to ongoing protest activity.

The force said hotel residents and staff have been advised to stay indoors after 5pm, following reports of verbal and physical harassment. In one incident, a hotel resident was reportedly chased and injured while returning to the building.

Nigel Farage apologises after false Epping protest claim

Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage falsely claimed that police “bussed” counter-protestors to a demonstration outside the Bell Hotel earlier this week.

The police force said the claim was "categorically wrong", issuing drone footage as evidence of people travelling on foot.

Mr Farage later said he apologised if he was "slightly out on accuracy" but maintained "the gist of what I was saying was right".

Party leader Nigel Farage speaks during a Reform UK press conference in Royal Horseguards Hotel (PA Wire)

Two more charged after Epping protest as police make arrests at migrant hotel demos

Essex Police said on Saturday that two more men have been charged and will appear in court after the disorder.

Lee Gower, 43, of High Street, Epping, was charged with violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency worker on July 17.

He was remanded into custody and was due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

Joshua Meadows, 18, of Sunnyside Road, Epping, was charged with failing to remove an item worn and possession of cannabis on July 24. He has been bailed to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on September 24.

It comes after 10 people were charged in relation to the disorder, Essex Police said.

Meanwhile, there was a peaceful protest outside a hotel reportedly housing migrants in Bowthorpe near Norwich on Saturday. Norfolk Police arrested two men in their 20s on suspicion of affray following demonstrations outside hotels in Diss and Bowthorpe last week.

There have also been protests outside the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf which is reportedly set to be used to offer temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.

Elite police division monitoring social media to prevent Epping unrest

An elite police squad is monitoring social media for signs of anti-migrant sentiment amidst the Epping protests.

This comes amid fears of another summer of disorder, following the 2024 Southport riots which led to 160 arrests.

The police were criticised heavily for their handling of last year’s protests and have established the new division to prevent similar violence.

What caused the Epping anti-migration protests?

Anti-migration protests in Epping this Sunday center around The Bell Hotel, which houses asylum-seekers.

Tensions have been building over the past year, culminating last summer in the Southport riots, following the fatal stabbings at a children's dance class.

This month, Epping has become the focal point of the protests, after a man living in The Bell Hotel was charged with the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.

The protests were rallied via Facebook, and two of the organisers were later discovered to also be members of a Neo-Nazi party.

Over the last few weeks, protesters have thrown missiles, broken windows of the hotel and spray-painted graffiti.

Essex police announces plan for Epping protests

The Essex Police has announced their policing plan for the anti-migrant protests taking place in Epping this Sunday.

The plan says that anyone wearing a face covering will be ordered to take it off or face arrest.

Protestors are also restricted from taking part in any kind of procession.

For those who want to make their voices heard, there will be designated sites opposite The Bell Hotel and close to the Civic Centre.

All protests must stop by 8pm on Sunday 27 July 2025.

The Essex Police says their priority is to ensure the protests don’t prevent “people getting on with their daily lives” in Epping.

Protests organised by members of Neo-Nazi groups

Epping protests were organised by members of a Neo-Nazi group, it has been found.

Two of the organisers of the event on the Facebook group ‘Epping Says No’ are also members of the far right group the Homeland Party.

The Homeland Party was a splinter group to the neo-Nazi Patriotic Alternative in April 2023.

Police announce new protest restrictions to tackle unrest

Restrictions include a ban on face coverings and the authority to disperse the protests.

The new restrictions come after the protests escalated in previous weeks, as demonstrators threw missiles, smashed windows, and spray-painted The Bell Hotel.

The measures come under Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, and Sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986.

Asylum seekers afraid to leave hotel amid protests

Asylum seekers living in the Bell Hotel in Epping are too afraid to step outside, according to a charity boss.

Anti-migrant protests outside the hotel have grown since 13 July, often resulting in clashes.

One resident of the hotel was reportedly chased by the protesters while out for a walk, says Stevie Smith CEO of refugee charity Care4Calais.

Police have made 18 arrests and charged ten people with disorder since the protests began.