Simon Dedman<\/span>BBC East political reporter, Epping<\/span>,<\/span><\/p>\n Helen Burchell<\/span>BBC News, Essex<\/span> and<\/span><\/p>\n James Chater<\/span>BBC News<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Three men were arrested during a protest outside The Bell Hotel in Epping on Friday, after the Court of Appeal overturned a temporary injunction that blocked asylum seekers from being housed there.<\/p>\n Essex Police said the men were arrested on suspicion of different offences – one for violent disorder, one for assaulting a police officer, and another for drink-driving. Two police officers were injured, though not seriously.<\/p>\n Assistant Chief Constable Glen Pavelin said that while most protesters had participated safely, “the right to protest does not include a right to commit crime”. <\/p>\n The court judgement means that 138 asylum seekers staying at the hotel will not be forced to leave by 12 September.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Explaining the Court of Appeal decision, Lord Justice Bean said the initial injunction – issued by the High Court – was “seriously flawed in principle”.<\/p>\n Epping Forest District Council, which obtained the injunction, says it will not rule out taking its case against the use of The Bell Hotel to the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n In a statement, Essex Police said it had also enforced a dispersal order for the area around The Bell Hotel until Saturday morning.<\/p>\n ACC Pavelin added: “My continued plea to those people who want their voices to be heard is to please do that safely and peacefully.”<\/p>\n Epping has hit the headlines since protests began in July outside the hotel. <\/p>\n Tension mounted after an asylum seeker living there was arrested and subsequently charged with several offences<\/a> including the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.<\/p>\n Hadush Kebatu, who is from Ethiopia, denies the offences and has been on trial.<\/p>\n Police say 28 arrests have been made to date in connection with disorder outside the hotel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As protesters gathered outside the hotel again on Friday evening with banners and union jack and England flags, feelings on the High Street were mixed.<\/p>\n Laura Fraye, whose mother lives in Epping, thought the latest judgement would cause “a lot of upset”.<\/p>\n “It’s a bit of a shame but let’s hope it’s the right decision and things calm down,” she said.<\/p>\n Her mother, Bonny Pitson, said while she “would not stand” with the protesters she agreed with them.<\/p>\n “It’s harmless – it’s not spiteful, they’re not doing anyone any harm,” she said. <\/p>\n Her daughter added: “I suppose if people don’t feel heard, they will protest.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Earlier this month Conservative-run Epping Forest District Council won the temporary injunction against the hotel in the High Court, which ruled asylum seekers could not stay there.<\/p>\n It is that injunction that has been overturned at appeal court, meaning migrants can stay.<\/p>\n Kerry Gilroy, who has lived in the town for 20 years and runs a Facebook group called Epping for Everyone, said: “My group has been really saddened and upset by the protests and the vitriolic statements – and untruths that are being spread about asylum seekers.<\/p>\n “We really wanted to try and change the narrative and show that those people protesting don’t represent Epping. So far it’s been really positively received.”<\/p>\n She said she was pleased about the latest court decision as “for the people in the hotel it gives them consistency, but it’s made me very nervous because I think there will be trouble… but I’m really pleased mob rule hasn’t been allowed to take over”.<\/p>\n She felt the council was “wasting money” by pursuing its claims, which have seen it clash with the Labour government.<\/p>\n “Those people are having their cases heard and eventually that hotel will be empty,” she added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Holly Whitbread, Conservative councillor for Epping West, said Friday’s news was “deeply disappointing and will feel like a betrayal for many”.<\/p>\n “The council committed from day one to use every single legal and diplomatic route we could,” she said.<\/p>\n She added: “We’re taking advice about what else we can do.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Stuart Hugh, 36, lives near the Bell Hotel and has attended some of the protests along with his parents.<\/p>\n He said: “I believe illegal immigration is completely out of control, and the government needs to do something to stop it.”<\/p>\n He was frustrated by the outbreak of violence among protesters on Friday.<\/p>\n “I think it takes away from the message we are trying to get across \u2013 it makes us look like thugs.<\/p>\n “I’ve lived in Epping for 27 years and it’s a very peaceful town. I believe everyone has the right to a peaceful protest, but violence is wrong.<\/p>\n “I’m all for legal migration. If you trace back my family history, I’ve got two grandparents who are from Sri Lanka, but they came to this country the right way.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Epping resident Sonnie Mead, 29, said the latest decision “could put people a little bit on edge – it’s a weird time and a weird world we’re living in”.<\/p>\n She had mixed feelings and just wanted everyone to feel safe.<\/p>\n Her mother, Kay Mead, 61, said: “I’m a bit mixed about asylum seekers being here.”<\/p>\n Asked her reaction to the appeal decision, she said: “I don’t think people in Epping will be very pleased.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Some others voiced their disappointment over the new ruling.<\/p>\n One woman said: “I don’t agree with it as we don’t look after our own people before we look after others – our ex-soldiers and everyone, and they’re homeless as well, so give them the benefit.” <\/p>\n Steve Turvey, 36, said it was “completely unfair – all the protests – I think they [asylum seekers] deserve to be here, they have every right to be here and I think the reactions of everyone around here is disgusting – it’s been jumped on like a bandwagon”.<\/p>\n His partner Sarah said: “I think the ongoing fight and how big Epping has got embroiled in all of this is really upsetting.”<\/p>\n Mr Turvey added: “It’s not good – but I don’t know what the answer is.” <\/p>\n<\/div>\n A full High Court hearing to decide on a permanent injunction for The Bell is expected in mid-October.<\/p>\n Following Friday’s judgement, the government has underlined<\/a> it wants to close asylum hotels in an “orderly way”, while saying it is working to relieve pressure on the system.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Reuters](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/43e1\/live\/f05f6140-853c-11f0-9cf6-cbf3e73ce2b9.jpg.webp\")
Reuters<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n![](\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20250828-055926-c20c0c03f5-2.28.1-2\/grey-placeholder.png\")
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Simon Dedman\/BBC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Simon](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/39ce\/live\/77f405d0-850f-11f0-9e10-69bad55ae76b.jpg.webp\")
Simon Dedman\/BBC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Matt](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/9657\/live\/a98a3270-8511-11f0-92eb-65b0b09a8bcb.jpg.webp\")
Matt Knight\/BBC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Simon](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/d792\/live\/57784580-8516-11f0-b69e-8d009a3d1a30.jpg.webp\")
Simon Dedman\/BBC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n