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Epping council votes to urge government to shut asylum hotel

EPPING, ESSEX, UNITED KINGDOM, JUL 25 – Epping Forest District Council unanimously demands closure of Bell and Phoenix Hotels after multiple serious incidents, including assault and arson, amid rising protests and 17 arrests, police said.

  • On Thursday, Epping Forest District Council unanimously approved a motion urging the Government to shut down the Bell Hotel in Essex, which is currently used to accommodate asylum seekers, on a permanent basis without delay.
  • The vote followed several serious incidents and large-scale protests sparked by the arrest of Ethiopian asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu, accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
  • More than 1,000 people attended demonstrations since July 13, which began peacefully but escalated with missiles thrown injuring eight officers and damaging police vehicles.
  • Essex Police have detained 18 individuals, with seven facing charges related to violent disorder and similar offenses, while Chief Ben-Julian Harrington described how disruptive elements took over the second demonstration, and investigators continue to examine the events.
  • The council and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner allege the Government's use of unsuitable hotels has endangered safety and worsened tensions, prompting urgent calls for safer asylum policies.
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Guido Fawkes broke the news in on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
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