Late Sunday, a protest outside the Bell Hotel in London’s northeastern Epping district took a violent turn. What began as a peaceful demonstration grew chaotic as rioters hurled bottles and smoke bombs, forcing police to step in.
Authorities arrested five people for violent disorder. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow remarked, "Disappointingly, we have seen yet another protest, which had begun peacefully, escalate into mindless thuggery," after one officer was injured and a police vehicle damaged.
The scene was charged with emotion as several hundred demonstrators gathered. Chants like "save our children" and "send them home" filled the air, while banners decried the presence of what some termed "foreign criminals."
The unrest follows rising tensions after a 38-year-old asylum seeker, accused of an incident involving a minor, was charged with sexual assault—a charge he denied. Earlier on July 17, clashes resulted in eight police officers being injured during the disturbance.
This incident echoes similar anti-immigration protests seen last summer in various parts of the UK, where hotels housing asylum seekers in towns like Rotherham became targets of violent attacks. The events have once again raised questions about the balance between protest and public order in today’s charged climate.
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Reference(s):
cgtn.com
