© Tom Blewitt – Predator Awareness
This is the shocking moment a Metropolitan Police van was filmed driving at high speed into a male protester outside the Bell Hotel in Essex. The protest was sparked by the arrest of Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian immigrant charged with multiple sexual offences, including harassment and inciting a minor to engage in sexual activity. Kebatu, who had arrived in the UK just eight days prior to the alleged offences, was remanded at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court.
The protest initially started peacefully, with local residents voicing their concerns over the housing of illegal immigrants at the hotel. However, the situation quickly escalated when pro-refugee and anti-racism groups arrived in counter-protest. These opposing groups clashed outside the hotel.
Police Response Stirs Anger
A Metropolitan Police van was seen ramming into one of the male protesters, causing him to fall to the ground. Footage of the incident quickly spread across social media, sparking outrage.
The protester appeared to walk away unharmed as someone in the crowd shouted: “Oh my god… What the f—.”
In another disturbing video, a riot officer was filmed assaulting a male protester over the head with his shield, adding to the growing backlash against the police’s tactics during the protest.
Police have been accused of deliberately causing tentions outside the hotel after they was seen marching and driving pro-refugee protesters towards the hotel, which inflamed the tensions.
Predator Awareness has contacted Essex Police asking whether it has reported itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, the police watchdog.
A Divided Community
The protest reflected broader divisions in the community over the housing of illegal immigrants in the area. Many residents expressed concerns about the potential impact on local services, crime rates, and community safety. The arrest of Kebatu only served to amplify these worries, with some individuals linking the incident to the broader issue of immigrants being housed in the town.
However, the arrival of pro-refugee and anti-racism activists led to confrontations, creating a volatile environment. Local residents, who had initially gathered to peacefully protest the housing of illegal immigrants, say counter-protesters made the situation worse, accusing police of being complicit in the escalation.
Police Defend Their Actions
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper of Essex Police condemned the violence, stating that those responsible would “feel the full force of the law.” Hooper confirmed that two men had been arrested for their involvement in the protests, with police alleging that their officers had been assaulted and their vehicles damaged during the unrest.
Hooper’s statement emphasized that such behaviour would not be tolerated.
“If you were one of the individuals responsible for damage, particularly towards my officers and vehicles, you can expect a knock on your door, We will not accept that kind of selfish vandalism we saw last night. If you are coming to Epping with the intention of carrying out mindless thuggery, that is not acceptable.”
Despite the police response, many residents believe the situation could have been handled differently. They have raised concerns over the disproportionate use of force and whether the police’s actions were justified.
Political Reactions to the use of hotels.
Local political leaders. Chris Whitbread, the Conservative leader of Epping Forest District Council, has been vocal in his opposition to the use of the Bell Hotel for housing illegal immigrants. Whitbread, alongside two Conservative MPs—Neil Hudson (Epping Forest) and Alex Burghart (Brentwood and Ongar)—has called on the Home Office to stop housing immigrants in the area, arguing that it has caused significant unrest within the community.
Whitbread and the MPs claim that the Home Office has failed to understand the gravity of the situation and the negative impact it has had on local residents. They also voiced concern over the safety and security of the community, given the heightened tensions that have now been exacerbated by the protests.
In response, the Home Office has defended its policy, with a spokesperson stating that efforts are underway to restore order to the asylum system. The department pointed to a “rapid increase” in asylum decision-making, as well as the removal of over 24,000 people with no legal right to remain in the UK.
Growing National Debate
The violent scenes in Epping are part of a larger, ongoing national debate over the accommodation of illegal immigrants in the UK. Immigrants have increasingly been housed in hotels across the country, leading to protests in several towns and cities. Many local communities have voiced concerns about the strain this places on resources and services, and some have tied the housing of asylum seekers to an increase in local crime rates.
The government claims they are refugees, but this has sparked anger among the British public, who argue that they’re never told what they are fleeing from.
Conclusion
As the fallout continues, both the police and local authorities face growing pressure to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future. The broader debate surrounding asylum policies also remains unresolved, with local authorites and the government struggling to find a balance that addresses public concerns. With protests likely to continue across the country, the need for a fair and transparent approach to asylum has never been more urgent
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