STORY: Approximately 150 anti-migrant protesters on Sunday (July 27) demonstrated outside a migrant hotel with a substantial police presence after disturbances at the site a week earlier raised the temperature in Britain’s acrimonious debate over migration.

Waving England and Union flags, the protesters cheered passing vehicles that tooted their horns in support. A counter demonstration by anti-racism groups was expected to raise tensions later on Sunday.

The Epping hotel has become the focal point for some anti-immigration protesters and pro-immigration groups after an Ethiopian asylum seeker living there was charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity. He denies the charges, according to a BBC report.

On July 17, police vehicles and The Bell Hotel were damaged, and one officer sustained a minor injury after violent clashes, Essex Police said in a statement.

Nearly 20,000 asylum seekers have arrived in Britain on small boats in the first six months of the year, adding pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer as the government works to reduce the numbers.

Starmer is under pressure to deal with the thousands of people who cross the Channel each year on dangerous, inflatable dinghies, a key issue for voters as he pledges to "smash the gangs" behind the people smuggling trade.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: EPPING, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM, (JULY 27, 2025)(Reuters – Access all)

1. BELL HOTEL IN EPPING, BELIEVED TO HOUSE MIGRANTS

2. POLICEWOMAN EQUIPPED FOR CIVIL DISTURBANCE

3. PROTESTERS BEHIND BARRIERS ON OTHER SIDE OF ROAD

4. COUPLE, WRAPPED IN UNION AND SCOTTISH FLAGS

5. VARIOUS OF WOMAN ON PHONE DECKED OUT IN UNION FLAG

6. PROTESTERS DRESSED IN ENGLAND FLAG, POPULAR AMONG SOCCER FANS AND THE HARD RIGHT

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROTESTER, MELANIE WALLACE, SAYING:

“I think the government need to sort illegal immigration out. Legal immigration is fine but all the illegals that are coming over, they need to sort that out. They need to sort it out for the safety of our women and children.”

8. TRAILER WITH TEXT READING (English): “STOP THE BOATS”

9. PLACARD READING (English): “PROTECT OUR KIDS”

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROTESTER CALLING HIMSELF LITTLE BOB SAYING:

“There are two reasons: firstly to open a dialogue towards how we can go forward in terms of migration policy, no longer housing these people in local bed and breakfasts or local constituencies with the most vulnerable. And also to be against ‘Stand Up to Racism” who of course accuse people who they disagree with of being fascists."

11. POLICE OFFICER RECORDING VIDEO

12. BELL HOTEL PANEL

13. POLICE VANS