On Thursday 17th July a number of local Epping residents carried out what was an initial peaceful protest outside The Bell Hotel in Epping High Road.

These residents were peacefully and legitimately protesting. This follows a recent alleged incident involving a resident of the hotel who was swiftly arrested, charged and remanded.

After carrying out their peaceful protests, members of the Epping community largely dissipated, however a number of individuals arrived at the scene, intent on causing trouble.

In the violence that followed these individuals: threw missiles at officers and the hotel; smashed police vans and vehicles; caused damage to the hotel; injured officers; and prevented local residents from being able to use Epping High Road.

A significant number of arrests have now happened as a result of this disorder, but our commitment is to identify all responsible.

Officers remain at the scene of The Bell Hotel and are patrolling Epping. They will continue to do so to keep our communities safe.

Essex Police would urge anyone with any footage or imagery that could help to send them into us so that we can make further arrests as quickly as we can.