Essex County Officials Demand Closure of Immigrant Hotels After Allegations
Police and crime commissioners in Essex are calling on the government to shut down immigrant hotels, particularly in light of recent protests in Epping. This came after an alleged sexual assault involving a local girl and individuals staying at one such hotel.
Essex PCC Roger Hearst has requested an urgent meeting with Interior Secretary Yvette Cooper, emphasizing the need to close the Bell Hotel, which he argues is not a suitable location for asylum seekers, saying that the decision was poorly made by the home office.
“The Bell isn’t right for asylum seekers,” Hearst stated. “It’s in the middle of a market town, and these people come from very different backgrounds. Plus, there’s a school nearby. This just doesn’t feel right,” he added.
He also noted the substantial costs associated with policing the hotel, mentioning that it has required many officers to work overtime. “This just isn’t a sustainable situation. It’s shifting resources away from what officers should actually be doing,” he said.
Local officials from the Epping Forest District Council have likewise pushed for the hotel closures, passing a motion last week urging the government to “permanently close hotels” used for immigrants.
The protests followed accusations against 38-year-old Garberslassy Kebatu from Ethiopia, who allegedly sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl. This incident has heightened tensions in the community.
Demonstrations occurred over the weekend outside the Bell Hotel, with many residents protesting against mass immigration. Counter-demonstrators advocating for open borders also gathered, leading to a tense atmosphere. While protests have largely remained peaceful, some incidents of conflict have arisen. Police have noted that those charged in these incidents are locals from Epping and nearby areas.
Similar protests have erupted at other locations, including a demonstration outside the Britannia International Hotel in London.
Interestingly, the group of protesters isn’t exclusively white; individuals of various backgrounds—including Chinese, Malaysians, and Sikhs—held signs advocating for the protection of women and children, and challenging narratives labeling them as far-right.
Throughout the weekend, additional protests against immigrant hotels took place in places like Altrincham, Bournemouth, Norwich, Leeds, and Portsmouth.
Earlier this month, reports surfaced about local officials in Portsmouth attempting to downplay allegations of serious crimes involving immigrants in hotels, fearing these revelations would escalate community tensions. Similar instances have reportedly occurred in London and Manchester.
These actions by officials parallel past attempts to suppress information about serious crimes committed by certain groups, particularly regarding a documented pattern of abuse in towns like Rotherham.
While there’s no direct link to specific gangs in this particular case, a report has indicated that a minor percentage of suspects in ongoing grooming cases may be individuals who have entered the country illegally.
