Epping protest: Cops break silence on claims police van drove into protester

Police have confirmed a van 'made contact' with a protester outside a hotel said to house migrants in Epping last night.

Violent clashes have been reported outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, which is believed to house asylum seekers, in recent days after a a 38-year-old man was last week accused of sexual assault. On Thursday night, eight officers were injured during altercations between protesters and police, with those hurt sustaining injuries to their hands as well as cuts and grazes.

A video circulating on social media on Thursday evening appeared to show a police vehicle as it drove towards a number of protesters who were standing in the road, before appearing to collide with at least one person.

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Commenting on the footage, a spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police told the Mirror: "Met officers attended Epping, Essex on the evening of Thursday, 17 July, following a request by Essex Police to support with an ongoing protest and counter-protest.

"On arrival, officers were met with significant hostility from protestors, with police vehicles damaged and officers threatened with violence. During their attendance, officers attempted to leave the immediate area due to safety concerns and were subsequently blocked in by the group of protestors using barriers. During this, a police van made contact with one of the protesters."

Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper told the PA news agency the video had been reported to the force, but said they had seen another video “which maybe shows it from a different angle”.

“And I guess the angles and perceptions show a different thing,” he added.

“So I’m not sure that exact incident is as it’s been reported in the media.”

The police chief promised to hold criminals to account for “selfish and mindless” violence and vandalism following the events on Thursday night.

A group of protesters started with a peaceful demonstration in Epping town centre, before moving onto the Bell Hotel, where things later turned violent.

There have been a number of demonstrations outside the hotel since Essex Police charged 38-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu with sexual assault following an incident where he is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl.

He denied the charge when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Mr Hooper said his team were now combing through CCTV to identify those responsible “for assaults on our staff, through to damage and abhorrent language that was used”.

“Then we can start knocking on doors and bring those involved to justice that were responsible for that selfish criminality,” he said.

“But we also want to work with the community to facilitate people using their voice in peaceful protests.”

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