UK Police Slam False Claims Amid Epping Protest Chaos

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of PA media via BBC

 

Essex Police have firmly dismissed claims that officers "bussed" pro-refugee protesters to a tumultuous demonstration outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, on 17 July. The protest, embroiled in controversy, saw pro-refugee demonstrators clashing with rival groups, leading to violence and accusations of police misconduct.

 

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington condemned the individuals responsible for the chaos as "thugs and vandals." Police confirmed that they made 10 arrests after eight officers and two hotel staff members suffered injuries. The unrest followed charges against an asylum seeker for sexual offences, which he has denied.

 

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, demanded that Chief Constable Harrington resign, alleging that the handling of the situation was "disgraceful." Essex Police, however, categorically denied any wrongdoing, clarifying that some protesters were escorted by vehicle for their safety amidst rising tensions.

 

The unrest escalated, resulting in four men being charged with violent disorder, one of whom also faced charges for damaging property while another was accused of defying an order to remove a face covering. The chief constable expressed gratitude to those who protested peacefully while emphasising the unacceptable nature of the violence and destruction witnessed.

 

In response to the disturbances, Essex Police implemented a dispersal order that took effect at 14:00 BST on Thursday, empowering officers to order individuals suspected of causing trouble to vacate the area or face arrest. This measure aims to ensure Epping's safety and prevent further disruptions.

 

The police urged the public to avoid spreading misinformation online, warning of real-world repercussions. Ch Supt Simon Anslow assured the community that no lawful protest would be impeded, but measures would be taken to maintain order.

 

The protests came in the wake of charges against Hadush Kebatu, a 41-year-old Ethiopian, for sexual assault and related offences. Kebatu denied the allegations and remains in custody following a court appearance.

 

Amid the turmoil in Epping, protests have also erupted outside the Britannia International Hotel, which is located in London's Canary Wharf and has been newly designated as asylum accommodation. While the Home Office stayed tight-lipped about specifics, Tower Hamlets Council confirmed the hotel's use for housing asylum seekers.

 

As Essex Police continue their robust operations to manage future protests, the gravity of maintaining public order and addressing the controversies surrounding asylum accommodations remains evident.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-07-24

 

 

[blaze master]

The wheels on the bus go round and round.

[Dionigi]

Perhaps the solution is to house the asylum seekers in Tower hamlets and move the Tower hamlet residents to a nicer location. 

[JonnyF]

Just more evidence of 2 tier policing, as if we needed any.

 

The UK police no longer police without fear or favour. They clearly have external pressures and political considerations. 

 

The UK slips further towards third world standards. 

 

 

[brewsterbudgen]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

Just more evidence of 2 tier policing, as if we needed any.

 

The UK police no longer police without fear or favour. They clearly have external pressures and political considerations. 

 

The UK slips further towards third world standards. 

 

 

Why?  They are false claims.  Did you read the article?

[Purdey]

Close to off-topic, but has Nigel, the champion of the British thicko, actually met his constituents in Clacton yet? Seems he is always somewhere else.

[sammieuk1]

The video of the total opposite is all over the net though Mr lying copper🤔

[The Cyclist]

32 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Why?  They are false claims.  Did you read the article?

 

The videos do not lie. Plenty of them all over the place, including news channels, should you care to look.

[brewsterbudgen]

7 minutes ago, The Cyclist said:

 

The videos do not lie. Plenty of them all over the place, including news channels, should you care to look.

According to the senior office in charge, the police drove the counter-protestors home for their own safety and to prevent further violence.  They did not bring them to the protest.  I have no reason to disbelieve him.

[The Cyclist]

24 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

According to the senior office in charge, the police drove the counter-protestors home for their own safety and to prevent further violence.

 

Of course they did

 

24 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

They did not bring them to the protest.  I have no reason to disbelieve him.

 

Of course you don't .

 

Police in the UK are world beaters, in honesty, integrity, and all round good guys.

 

Which is why many hundreds of them are kicked out on annual basis.

[impulse]

26 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I have no reason to disbelieve him.

 

Then you haven't been paying enough attention...  I'm curious myself in this particular instance.  I haven't watched the videos, largely because they're blocked here in China. 

 

But the cops' credibility has taken some well deserved hits recently.  And not just in the UK.  It's not like the good ol' days when there wasn't a camera on every corner and in everyone's pocket.

 

 

[HK MacPhooey]

1 hour ago, sammieuk1 said:

The video of the total opposite is all over the net though Mr lying copper🤔

BJ needs to go to ‘the naughty boy corner’ … actually he needs to be jailed for at least 31 months for inciting a riot

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Just more evidence of 2 tier policing, as if we needed any.

 

The UK police no longer police without fear or favour. They clearly have external pressures and political considerations. 

 

The UK slips further towards third world standards. 

 

 

It’s just more evidence of your ability to believe utter nonsense.

 

 

[norfolkandchance]

The police have admitted that the counter demonstrators where walked to the Hotel and then bused out.

[HK MacPhooey]

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

According to the senior office in charge, the police drove the counter-protestors home for their own safety and to prevent further violence.  They did not bring them to the protest.  I have no reason to disbelieve him.

Actually the Socialist Workers Party ‘pro-migrant’ banners were being distributed to the ‘escorted in’ far-left masked agitators from the police vans before they kicked off against the police themselves - similar suspicious activities were seen when Merseyside Police allowed the Mitsubishi driver into the closed route of the Liverpool FC Premier League winner’s procession when similarly clad and similarly violent agitators ‘laid the boot’ into the rammer’s car before being whisked away in police vans.

 

Let’s not get into their activities in Southport but a reassessment of recent police actions nationwide is clearly needed… but then brewsterbudgen has no reason to doubt Chief Constable BJ so we can let it pass

[BusyB]

6 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Just more evidence of 2 tier policing, as if we needed any.

 

The UK police no longer police without fear or favour. They clearly have external pressures and political considerations. 

 

The UK slips further towards third world standards. 

 

 

 

The last sentence only is indeed true, but not for the reasons you give here and elsewhere.