Police have launched an appeal to find three men in connection with violent disorder outside a hotel housing asylum seekers last week.
Essex Police said they need to speak to Martin Peagram, 33, Shaun Thompson, 37, and Philip Curson, 52, after an initially peaceful demonstration outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on 17 July escalated into clashes between protesters and police.
Mr Peagram has links to Stansted, while Mr Thompson has connections to Epping, the force said. Mr Curson has no last known address.
Officers ask anyone who has seen the men or has any information as to their whereabouts to contact police.
Protesters have repeatedly gathered outside the hotel after an asylum seeker was arrested and charged with offences against a teenager earlier this month, eight days after arriving in the UK via boat.
Anti-migration protesters in Epping
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Epping migration protest in focus
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, from Ethiopia, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court last Thursday, where he denied trying to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Kebatu is due to stand trial in August.
On the day he appeared in court, tensions boiled over outside the hotel, leaving eight officers injured.
A total of 16 arrests have been made so far, and six people have been charged, four with violent disorder, one with failing to remove a face covering when directed and one with theft of police equipment as well as possession of an offensive weapon.
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Eight officers injured during migrant protest
Essex Police said it was still working to identify other suspects it believes are responsible for “damaging police vehicles, throwing projectiles at officers and assaulting them”.
“We’ve been analysing footage and we have investigators and trained detectives working on this operation. We are identifying suspects, and there will be more arrests in the coming days, Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said.
As Epping braces for another protest, the force issued a dispersal order, which will be in place from 2pm on Thursday until 8am on Friday to “ensure our community in Epping is safe”.
Armed police outside a hotel in Epping which is being used to house refugees. Pic: UKNIP
The order covers an area including the town centre and transport hubs and networks like the tube station.
It gives police the power to direct anyone suspected of committing anti-social behaviour, or planning to do so, to leave the area or face arrest.
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“Where there has been previous protest activity, we have seen sustained anti-social behaviour in addition to any disorder that we have dealt with during the protest itself,” Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said.
“This order will not prevent lawful and peaceful protest, but ensure people are safe both during and after the planned activity.”
