Over the weekend of August 16-17, 2025, multiple towns and cities across England witnessed a resurgence of protests sparked by local opposition to migrant accommodations, a movement that began in Epping, Essex, in June. The protests were ignited by the arrest of Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old Ethiopian migrant accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl days after arriving illegally in the UK via a small boat across the English Channel. The incident, centered around the Bell Hotel in Epping, which houses asylum seekers, has fueled widespread unrest, with hundreds taking to the streets to demand change.
On Sunday, approximately 200 protesters gathered outside the Bell Hotel, chanting slogans like “Save Our Kids” and displaying placards reading “Protect Our Community.” The demonstration, described by Essex Police as peaceful, resulted in no arrests, a contrast to earlier protests in July that saw violence, including attacks on police and property damage, leading to 18 arrests. The Bell Hotel has become a focal point of contention, with local officials challenging its use as migrant housing in a High Court case. Epping Forest District Council argues that the hotel has become “a feeding ground for unrest,” citing safety concerns and community tensions.
The protests in Epping drew high-profile attention, with de facto Tory leader Robert Jenrick joining demonstrators. Jenrick, who has intensified his campaign to reposition the Conservative Party as tough on immigration, addressed the crowd, stating, “People are fed up with illegal migration and the crime it brings. The government must act to keep our communities safe.” His presence underscores the political stakes, as the Tories aim to capitalize on public frustration, drawing parallels to similar sentiments in the U.S., where immigration debates dominate headlines. Critics, however, accuse Jenrick of stoking division, while some UK and U.S. media outlets have been criticized for downplaying the protests’ scale.
The unrest extends beyond Epping. Towns like Norwich, Leeds, and Altrincham saw demonstrations over the weekend, with locals voicing concerns over migrant accommodations in hotels like the Britannia International in Canary Wharf, where false rumors of relocations from Epping heightened tensions. Posts on X reflect growing public anger, with one user stating, “The UK is tired of this, just like the US, but the media ignores it.” Another post highlighted the Epping protests, noting, “Hundreds marched to shut down the migrant hotel after a child was assaulted.” These sentiments, while not conclusive, indicate a broader movement against perceived failures in immigration policy.
Essex Police have implemented strict measures to manage protests, including dispersal orders and bans on face coverings under the Public Order Act. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow praised Sunday’s peaceful demonstration but warned, “We won’t tolerate thuggery.” The Home Office, facing pressure, aims to phase out hotel use for asylum seekers by 2029, but locals demand faster action. In Epping, residents like Tracey, a 60-year-old lifelong resident, told Sky News, “We’re not prejudiced, but this has gone too far. We want our town back.”
As legal battles and protests continue, the UK grapples with balancing humanitarian obligations and community concerns. The High Court’s ruling on the Bell Hotel could set a precedent, but for now, England’s streets remain a battleground for competing visions of immigration policy.
