Epping disorder policing costs claimed to have reached £100,000 in one week
Police say the cost reflects their response to violent incidents over the past seven days and warn those responsible will be held accountable
Last updated 21st Jul 2025
Police claim the cost of dealing with violent incidents in Epping over the last seven days has reached £100,000 as officers respond to outbreaks of disorder.
Officers say the events on Thursday and Sunday were not protests but acts of hooliganism. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: “What we have seen in Epping over the last week is not protest, it’s hooliganism and the people responsible for it can expect to be held accountable.”
He warned against false information spreading on social media, adding: “To those who seek to use social media to peddle untruths and lies about the incidents in Epping on Thursday and Sunday, you won’t win.”
Chief Superintendent Anslow said officers faced threatening and abusive language, missiles thrown at them, and injuries during the incidents. “The very people you are criticising are police officers who have families, who live in our communities and want to keep them safe,” he said.
He added: “We don’t take sides; we arrest criminals and we have a duty to ensure no-one is hurt – it really is that simple.”
A visible police presence remains in Epping today, with officers expected to stay in the area over the coming days.
The clashes took place on Thursday evening (17 July) outside the Bell Hotel, following what began as a peaceful protest.
Charges made
Keith Silk, of Torrington Drive, Loughton, appeared before Southend Magistrates' Court on Monday and entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of violent disorder, said to have happened on July 17.
The 33-year-old is also charged with criminal damage, having allegedly shaken a sign belonging to the hotel, but he was not asked to enter a plea to this.
District judge Christopher Williams bailed Silk, with conditions, until an appearance before Chelmsford Crown Court on August 18.
The judge said Silk must not visit Epping, must not attend any protest or demonstration in the UK and would have a curfew monitored by an electronic tag to be at his home address from 7pm to 7am daily.
Clashes
Thursday’s protest was the latest in a series outside the hotel, linked to an incident involving 38-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu.
Kebatu has been charged with sexual assault after being accused of attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
He denied the charge when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court.