ANOTHER Harlow resident has been arrested and charged in relation to protests outside the Bell Hotel in Epping.

Twenty-eight year-old Aaron Elles, of The Lawn, Harlow, has been charged with violent disorder. He is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on (Friday 25 July).

Reflecting on the events of Thursday night. A statement from Essex Police.

“I want to thank all those who protested peacefully this evening” – that’s from our officer who has led our work to facilitate a peaceful and lawful protest in Epping this evening.

People protesting against The Bell Hotel demonstrated outside the site before part of the group who wanted to move to the town centre were escorted by our officers to ensure they could do so safely.

Our officers then facilitated a peaceful protest outside the civic centre where a full council meeting was taking place.

During the meeting, elected representatives thanked our officers for their work over the last 10 days.

Councillor Craig McCann said: “I’d like to thank Essex Police and other mutual aid constabularies for all they have done to keep us safe and protect democratic rights.”

Councillor Chidi Nweke said: “I would like to express thanks to police for working hard to keep streets safe”.

Reflecting on this evening, Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: “I want to thank all those who protested peacefully this evening.

“We put a number of measures in place to ensure you could express your democratic right peacefully, lawfully, and safely.

“That is our role and it is one we take very seriously.
“As I have consistently said, we will not tolerate anyone who believes they can come here to commit crime and disorder. If you think you can, we will deal with you.
“We had robust plans in place this evening to ensure people could demonstrate peacefully and to ensure they, and the wider community, are kept safe.”

An 18 year-old man from Epping was arrested on suspicion of breaching the Section 60AA order which prevents people from wearing face coverings.
He is currently in custody.

Separately, a 43 year-old man from Epping was arrested earlier today on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with an incident on 17 July. He is currently in custody.

It means a total of 18 people have now been arrested.

Also today, a seventh person was charged in connection with our ongoing investigations.