“THE cost of policing criminal incidents in Epping over the last week has reached £100,000 – money which we would much rather spend on continuing to cut crime across Essex and keeping our neighbourhoods safe.”

Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow is continuing to lead our response a number of incidents of violent disorder in Epping.

He added: “What we have seen in Epping over the last week is not protest, it’s hooliganism and the people responsible for it can expect to be held accountable.

“To those who seek to use social media to peddle untruths and lies about the incidents in Epping on Thursday and Sunday, you won’t win.

“The very people you are criticising are police officers who have families, who live in our communities and want to keep them safe.

“These are the same people who have been antagonised with threatening and abusive language, they’ve had missiles thrown at them and they’ve been injured.

“Once again, to anyone who somehow thinks we will tolerate this behaviour – think again.”

Ch Supt Anslow added: “We don’t take sides; we arrest criminals and we have a duty to ensure no-one is hurt – it really is that simple.”

There continues to be a visible policing presence in Epping today and that will remain in the coming days.