Police bill for Epping protests could reach £1.7m

The cost of policing protests in Epping related to asylum seekers could reach £1.7m by October, with tensions escalating over the housing of asylum seekers at The Bell Hotel. Essex Police have made 32 arrests in connection with disorder outside the hotel, and the police, fire, and crime commissioner for Essex, Roger Hirst, highlighted the substantial resources required for the response. The protests have resulted in injuries to officers, legal challenges by the Epping Forest District Council, and ongoing demonstrations.