String of violent incidents around Essex hotel
Police have attended multiple incidents at the Bell Hotel in Epping, which is being used to house asylum seekers
Essex Police are ramping up their presence in Epping following a string of serious incidents in the area over the past week, including a man being charged with multiple sexual offences, a violent assault on security staff, and racially aggravated criminal damage.
The first incident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, 8 July, when police were called to High Road at around 5:20pm following reports of a man behaving inappropriately towards several people. Officers quickly responded and arrested a suspect at the scene.
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, of High Road, Epping, has since been charged with three counts of sexual assault.
Days later, on Sunday evening, 13 July, tensions escalated during a planned protest near The Bell Hotel in Epping, which is being used to house asylum seekers.
While no offences occurred between the protest groups themselves, two male security staff members were seriously assaulted by a group of men at a nearby bus stop on High Road.
The victims managed to flee to the hotel, where a large police presence was in place, and received medical attention for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Detectives from Loughton CID are leading the investigation and are treating the attack as racially aggravated.
A third incident took place on Tuesday, 15 July, involving a man shouting racial abuse at The Bell Hotel and damaging property.
A suspect was arrested shortly afterwards on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and criminal damage. He has since been released on bail while investigations continue.
Superintendent Tim Tubbs added: “I am acutely aware of the strength of feeling locally, specifically on an ongoing police investigation which at this stage has seen one man charged with a number of sexual offences.
“That case is continuing to progress through court and the suspect was remanded into custody after a hearing last week.
“We know there is significant discussion about this ongoing case within the community and indeed further afield. As the police, must be limited in what we say whilst a criminal investigation is progressing through the courts and the last thing we want is for any public discussion to hinder an ongoing prosecution.”
Supt Tubbs added: “We understand people’s right to make their voices heard on issues which matter to them. We don’t seek to stifle this.
“People who do this peacefully, lawfully and responsibly cause us – and the wider public – no concern.
“However, we can never and will never tolerate criminal violence of any sort and anyone identified as committing crime will be dealt with robustly.
“There will continue to be a very visible policing presence in Epping in the coming days to ensure the safety of our community. If you’ve got concerns or information you feel we need to know, please do not hesitate to contact those officers.”