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An unrest broke out on Sunday night outside a hotel in northeast London used to accommodate asylum seekers, with demonstrators hurling bottles and smoke bombs at police during a heated demonstration.
The latest incident occurred outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, where five individuals were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, according to the Metropolitan Police.
“What started as a peaceful demonstration once again descended into senseless violence,” said Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow. “An officer was injured and a police vehicle was damaged—this kind of lawlessness cannot be tolerated.”
Crowds numbering in the hundreds gathered outside the hotel under heavy police presence. Officers in riot gear stood guard as demonstrators chanted slogans such as “save our children” and “send them home.” Banners carried messages calling for the expulsion of “foreign criminals.”
The protests followed the recent charging of a 38-year-old male asylum seeker accused of attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
He appeared in court on Thursday and denied the sexual assault allegation. His arrest has fuelled growing tensions in the local community.
Violence also erupted on Thursday evening, when eight officers were reportedly injured during earlier protests linked to the same case.
The latest scenes are part of a broader wave of anti-migrant unrest that has shaken the UK over the past year.
Last summer, violent riots broke out following the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport. Even though the suspect was British-born, the attack triggered a backlash against asylum seekers across the country.
Hotels used to house migrants have been frequent targets. In one incident, demonstrators attempted to set fire to a hotel in Rotherham, northeast England. Other establishments have seen windows smashed, residents harassed, and communities divided over the ongoing housing of asylum seekers.
Human rights groups have condemned the rising hostility, warning that misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric are stoking public fear and violence.
The UK government has defended the use of temporary accommodation for asylum seekers, citing pressure on the immigration system.
However, the Home Office continues to face criticism over safety concerns, lack of community consultation, and delays in processing asylum claims.
Sunday’s violence has prompted renewed calls for both stronger security measures and efforts to tackle rising xenophobia.
