ESSEX Police are continuing our policing response to several incidents which have taken place in Epping.

A press spokesperson said: “In the first incident, we were alerted to the reports in High Road, at 5.20pm on Tuesday 8 July, of a man acting inappropriately towards a number of people.

Officers arrived quickly and arrested a man.

As a result of the work of officers, Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, of High Road, Epping was charged with:

Three counts of sexual assault:
One count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity; and
One count of harassment without violence.
Kebatu appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 10 July and denied all offences.

He was denied bail and remanded into custody ahead of his next hearing.

On Sunday evening (13 July), there was a planned protest in the area of The Bell Hotel, in Epping.

Whilst no offences were reported between the two groups of people at the protest site, two security staff members, both men, were seriously assaulted by a group of men at a bus stop in High Road.

The two victims then managed to make their way past the protest site into the hotel, where there was a significant policing presence, to get help.

Both victims have received hospital treatment for serious injuries, which are thankfully not life-threatening or life-changing.

This incident is being investigated extensively by detectives in Loughton CID. At this stage, we’re treating it as racially aggravated.

A third incident took place on Tuesday 15 July with a man shouting racial abuse directed at the hotel. He later caused damage to the property.

“Shortly after, we arrested a man on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and criminal damage. He has been released on bail whilst enquiries continue”.

Superintendent Tim Tubbs added: “I am acutely aware of the strength of feeling locally, specifically on an ongoing police investigation which at this stage has seen one man charged with a number of sexual offences.

“That case is continuing to progress through court and the suspect was remanded into custody after a hearing last week.

“We know there is significant discussion about this ongoing case within the community and indeed further afield. As the police, must be limited in what we say whilst a criminal investigation is progressing through the courts and the last thing we want is for any public discussion to hinder an ongoing prosecution.”

Supt Tubbs added: “We understand people’s right to make their voices heard on issues which matter to them. We don’t seek to stifle this.

“People who do this peacefully, lawfully and responsibly cause us – and the wider public – no concern.

“However, we can never and will never tolerate criminal violence of any sort and anyone identified as committing crime will be dealt with robustly.

“There will continue to be a very visible policing presence in Epping in the coming days to ensure the safety of our community. If you’ve got concerns or information you feel we need to know, please do not hesitate to contact those officers.”