TDPel - Media

Angry protesters confront asylum housing as migrants return to The Bell Hotel in Epping amid rising local tensions

Angry protesters
Angry protesters

It was supposed to be a quiet summer afternoon in the Essex town of Epping — a place where leafy streets meet village charm.

But as I stood outside The Bell Hotel for barely five minutes, the peace was shattered by the blare of a car horn.

A driver leaned out of his BMW window and shouted, “I hope they burn it down later.”

That one moment captured the fury simmering in this usually calm commuter town.


A Hotel at the Center of a National Debate

The Bell Hotel, once considered a quirky and character-filled stopover, now finds itself at the heart of Britain’s ongoing immigration storm.

Tensions escalated dramatically after it was revealed that one of the asylum seekers staying there had been charged with sexual assault — just days after arriving in the UK.

Since that revelation, protests have erupted, WhatsApp groups have buzzed with plans for public action, and locals have taken sides in a debate that’s far bigger than just one hotel.


From Frustration to Fury: Locals Lash Out

Temporary fencing now separates The Bell from the neighboring construction site, but not much separates emotions from boiling over.

Workers on the site said they’ve been wrongly targeted, accused of being “traitors” and “terrorist sympathisers” just for being nearby.

Some locals blame political leadership, with jabs at Labour leader Keir Starmer and frustration at years of government inaction.

“This is what happens when the system breaks,” one worker said, adding that he personally believes asylum should be claimed in the first safe country — not Britain.


A Deepening Immigration Crisis

The unrest in Epping isn’t happening in a vacuum.

Over 21,000 migrants have crossed the Channel this year — a 56% increase from last year.

Meanwhile, the cost of housing asylum seekers in temporary hotels is spiraling out of control, with projections from the National Audit Office suggesting a staggering £15 billion price tag over a decade.

The Bell Hotel itself has been in and out of service as a migrant shelter since the pandemic.

Though the Home Office had once announced plans to stop using it, migrants quietly returned earlier this year — reigniting local concerns.


A Town on Edge, a Community Divided

Epping isn’t a particularly diverse town. Many residents moved here for its countryside calm and suburban safety.

But now, the presence of migrants — especially after the alleged assaults — has fueled unease.

While some claims made by residents about “leering” or shoplifting remain unverified and spread mainly via social media, others say the mood has shifted dramatically.

Violent scenes erupted last Sunday during protests, with hotel security guards assaulted and left bloodied.

The protests are no longer just local — they’ve drawn activists, YouTubers, and figures from far-right networks, eager to turn the spotlight on immigration tensions.


The Allegations That Sparked the Firestorm

The man at the center of the controversy is 38-year-old Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, who arrived from Ethiopia just days before being charged with three counts of sexual assault.

According to court testimony, Kebatu allegedly approached a 14-year-old schoolgirl, touched her leg, and made sexually explicit comments.

He reportedly approached her again the next day, along with a 16-year-old girl.

He has denied all charges and is set to stand trial next month.


Protest Turns Violent as Emotions Explode

By 5 p.m. Thursday, crowds were already forming outside The Bell Hotel.

Around 300 people showed up — among them mothers, retirees, and burly men, many draped in Union Jacks and accompanied by dogs.

Some wore balaclavas; others carried signs demanding protection for local children.

What began as a mostly peaceful gathering quickly turned chaotic when news spread that anti-racism activists were on their way.

Tensions rose sharply. One man wrapped his hands like a boxer. Others donned latex gloves.

Flares, bottles, and fireworks flew as riot police formed lines to protect the outnumbered counter-protesters.


Police Injured, Protest Hijacked

Essex Police later confirmed eight officers were injured in the clashes, and two men were arrested.

One police van had its windscreen smashed; another was blocked and climbed on by protesters.

In one shocking moment, a demonstrator was hit by a police van while trying to block its path.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper condemned the violence, saying the actions of a criminal minority had overshadowed those who genuinely wanted to protest peacefully.

“Their behavior only drowns out the voices of real people,” he said.

“It pulls police away from important work and disrupts the community.”


Political Pressure Builds to Shut Down The Bell

In response to the turmoil, Epping’s Conservative MP Neil Hudson called for the immediate closure of The Bell Hotel.

“Things are very, very tense,” he told the BBC, urging Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to act before the situation spirals even further.

“Peaceful protest is one thing,” he said. “But what we saw wasn’t peaceful.

People came here looking for a fight. That can’t continue.”


Social Media Backlash Silences Supportive Voices

Anyone trying to show sympathy for the migrants staying at The Bell is now often shouted down.

On local Facebook forums, one woman who expressed concern about asylum seekers being intimidated was slammed by commenters, despite framing her post around kindness and safety.

That sentiment is echoed on the high street, where many say the town has changed.

A retired plumber put it bluntly: “If saying I feel uncomfortable makes me racist, then so be it.

But this isn’t the Epping I used to know.”


But Not Everyone Sees a Threat

Yet, surprisingly, not all neighbors are angry. One man living directly beside The Bell said he’s had no issues with the residents.

“They don’t bother me at all,” he told reporters.

“I had more problems when it was a regular hotel.”

Still, the dominant mood in Epping is one of fear and frustration.

The town’s future may well hinge on how — or if — the government acts quickly and decisively.

Because right now, the anger isn’t going anywhere.