Protesters Try to Swarm Epping Migrant Hotel
29th August 2025
The Telegraph (UK).
Dozens of people tried to swarm the Bell Hotel, which houses migrants, on Thursday evening as police formed a line to prevent them getting closer to the building.
Chants of “send them back” and “go home” could be heard, whilst flares were set off. One demonstrator told The Telegraph: “It’s all kicking off. We are so angry. We won’t stop.”
The hotel became the focus for anti-immigration protests after the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old schoolgirl by an Ethiopian asylum seeker living there.
At Epping St John’s, a primary school nearby, locals called for the migrants to be removed and the hotel to be closed to them.
Lindsey Thompson, 58, questioned how children will cope when local schools reopen next week.
She told The Telegraph: “We have no choice. This is children’s safety. It’s really scary. It’s a terrifying time.