A TOTAL of six people were arrested by Essex Police on Sunday after protest continued outside The Bell Hotel in Epping.

Four individuals who arrived at the scene on Sunday evening were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with offences alleged to have happened during last Thursday’s protest, which later turned violent.

A fifth was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a police car and a sixth was arrested for going equipped to cause criminal damage.

In order to prevent criminality and violence we placed a Section 60AA, giving police powers to force individuals to remove face coverings.

And a Section 35 dispersal order was put on later in the evening allowing our officers to make everyone leave the area.

There were angry and violent scenes when a woman walked through the crowds. Missiles were thrown at her and a number of individuals were shouting abuse and trying to reach the woman.

Our officers walked alongside her until she left the scene in order to keep everyone on all sides safe and ensure no-one was hurt.

An officer from Norfolk was struck in the face by a bottle and taken to hospital.

Unfortunately, further disruption was caused to the local community after protesters in the road meant we had to close Epping High Road for a number of hours. We are grateful to the residents of Epping for their patience and support around the road closure.

We remained at the scene throughout the night and into the morning, patrolling the area to ensure everyone was kept safe.

Chief Supt Simon Anslow said: “Disappointingly we have seen yet another protest, which begun peacefully, escalate into mindless thuggery with individuals again hurting one of our officers and damaging a police vehicle.

“For anyone who thinks we will tolerate their thuggery – think again. Individuals who thought that they got away with disorder after last Thursday, turned up this evening only to find themselves getting arrested and we have continued to arrest others throughout the evening.

“I would also like to set the record straight around misinformation that Essex Police is anything other than impartial. 

“We don’t take sides, we arrest criminals and we have a duty to ensure no-one is hurt – plain and simple. I know the people of Essex know what we’re about so I know they won’t believe the rubbish circulating online that is designed to do nothing more than inflame tensions and trouble.

“I think I speak for all of us – including the people of Epping – when I say we’ve had enough of your criminality. But our cells, which filled up throughout the evening, are ready for you, so don’t be in any doubt that this is where you will be sleeping if you come here to cause trouble.”

 The six arrested remain in custody:

A 36-year-old man from Epping was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder under Section 2 of the Public Order Act.

A 47-year-old man from Waltham Abbey was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder under Section 2 of the Public Order Act.

A 34-year-old man from Wickford was arrested on suspicion of breaching a Section 60AA.

A 51-year-old man from Epping was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder under Section 2 of the Public Order Act.

A 17-year-old man from North Weald was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a vehicle.

A 16-year-old from South London was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to cause criminal damage.