The small town of Epping in Essex has found itself at the center of a national debate, as the cost of policing ongoing protests related to asylum seekers at The Bell Hotel is projected to reach a staggering £1.7 million by the end of October 2025, according to figures revealed at a recent Essex crime panel meeting (BBC, Local Democracy Reporter, Daily Mail). What began as a local incident has now spiraled into a wider flashpoint, drawing in demonstrators, counter-protesters, politicians, and law enforcement from across the United Kingdom.
The protests erupted in mid-July after Ethiopian asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was arrested for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman just days after arriving in the UK by small boat. Kebatu, whose age was variously reported as 38 and 41, was convicted at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court and sentenced to 12 months in prison on September 23, 2025 (BBC, Daily Mail, Local Democracy Reporter). The judge condemned Kebatu’s actions as "disgusting and sickening," highlighting his "poor regard" for women (Daily Mail).
The Bell Hotel, housing around 150 asylum seekers, soon became the focal point of weekly protests and counter-protests, drawing thousands of people from Epping and beyond (BBC, Daily Mail). Demonstrators voiced outrage over the assaults, while counter-protesters and local residents expressed concern about the tone and impact of the gatherings. The protests have not only persisted but also intensified, with the 23rd demonstration taking place in late September and no sign of the momentum slowing (Daily Mail).
Policing these events has placed a significant strain on Essex Police. The force’s commissioner, Roger Hirst, described the response as requiring a "substantial level" of resources, including officers drafted in from neighboring counties and even as far as Wales (BBC, Local Democracy Reporter). Hirst was candid about the financial burden: "We will have to deal with that within our internal resources, and work out how to do that. We don’t get a special grant from the central government unless we reach just over £4 million additional expenditure, which we are hopefully not going to do." He added, "It's a classic public service conundrum. You have the requirement right now, you have to do it. That's the job." (BBC, Local Democracy Reporter)
By late September, the cost of policing the protests had already surpassed £1.6 million, with estimates suggesting the total could reach £1.7 million by October’s end (BBC, Daily Mail, Local Democracy Reporter). Under current government rules, Essex Police would only receive financial assistance if their costs exceeded £4 million, leaving the force to absorb the expense for now (BBC, Daily Mail, Local Democracy Reporter).
The demonstrations have not been without incident. On July 17, fireworks were set off and eggs thrown, resulting in injuries to eight police officers (BBC). In August, three men were arrested after another protest turned violent, with officers again sustaining injuries (Daily Mail). Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper told ITV News that officers have faced "ugly confrontations" and even personal threats. One senior officer reported being told by a protester, "they hope my children get raped because I’m here protecting the Bell Hotel" (Daily Mail). Protesters have also accused police of restricting their freedom of speech and "bussing in" counter-demonstrators, claims the police have denied (Daily Mail).
In response to growing tensions and public safety concerns, Essex Police implemented strict conditions on recent protests. For the demonstration on September 25, activities were confined to a 90-minute window in the evening, with no sound amplification allowed and banners banned from displaying offensive or inflammatory language. Protesters were also restricted from assembling on the road outside the hotel (Local Democracy Reporter). Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow explained, "We remain committed to facilitating peaceful protest and will continue to engage with organisers and participants to ensure that everyone understands the conditions and the reasons behind the restrictions." He added, "The right to protest has to be balanced with the rights of others to live in peace and feel safe in their homes – when those living in Epping tell us that these actions are stopping them sleeping or impacting their businesses, we have to exercise these powers to support them. These are not about favouring one group over another – they are about striking a fair balance between competing rights and ensuring that protest does not come at the expense of public safety and community wellbeing." (Local Democracy Reporter)
Meanwhile, the legal battle over the use of The Bell Hotel as asylum accommodation continues. Epping Forest District Council initially won a temporary High Court injunction in August 2025 to block the hotel from housing asylum seekers, arguing that the site owner had breached planning rules by failing to notify local authorities (BBC, Daily Mail). However, the Court of Appeal overturned this injunction, allowing the hotel to remain open for asylum seekers pending further legal action. A full hearing is set for October 15, 2025, at the High Court in London, where the council will seek a permanent injunction (BBC, Daily Mail).
The controversy in Epping has reverberated across the country, inspiring similar legal challenges by councils in Wirral, Stevenage, Tamworth, and Rushmoor, all aiming to close migrant hotels in their jurisdictions (Daily Mail). Protests have also spread to other cities, including Newcastle, where three people were arrested for breach of peace during a recent immigration demonstration. The national debate has drawn in political figures from a range of perspectives. UKIP leader Nick Tenconi, speaking at a protest in Newcastle, said, "The Unite the Kingdom protest is a great initiative by Tommy Robinson and I obviously support patriotic movements, but patriotic movements aren't going to take back the country. The country is taken back by a political party returning a majority and our system which is a first past the post system." (Daily Mail)
Broader statistics paint a picture of mounting pressure on the UK’s asylum system. At the end of June 2025, more than 32,000 asylum seekers were being housed in taxpayer-funded hotels, an 8% increase from the previous year (Daily Mail). The Home Office reported a record 111,084 asylum applications lodged in the year to June 2025, up 14% year-on-year. While Labour has pledged to close all migrant hotels by 2029, the costs of asylum support remain high—£4.76 billion in 2024-25, down from £5.38 billion the previous year, but still far above the less than £475 million spent annually a decade ago (Daily Mail).
As the October court date approaches, Epping’s experience stands as a microcosm of the UK’s broader struggle to balance public safety, community cohesion, and the rights of asylum seekers. The coming weeks promise further legal drama, political debate, and—unless something changes—a continued heavy police presence in this Essex town.
