Surrey man charged with racially abusing police officer at Epping Bell Hotel protest
The man has denied the charge of racially or religiously aggravated disorderly behaviour
Last updated 10th Feb 2026
A man has appeared in court today charged with public order offences after reports that an Essex Police officer was racially abused during protest activity outside The Bell Hotel in Epping on Sunday (8 February).
Darren Summerfield, 35, of Ashbury Crescent, Guildford, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 10 February charged with racially or religiously aggravated disorderly behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
He is further charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress in relation to a previous protest on 28 December last year.
Summerfield admitted the charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour but denied the charge of racially or religiously aggravated disorderly behaviour.
He is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on 12 February 2027 for trial.
Summerfield was released on bail with strict conditions, including:
Exclusion from the district of Epping via a GPS monitoring tag.
Not to publish material on his YouTube channel relating to The Bell Hotel.
A 49-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of racially or religiously aggravated disorderly behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
He has been released on bail until 29 April.
During the demonstration, officers also seized flares and fireworks.
Responding to concerns from local residents about noise and anti-social behaviour, our officers are engaging with people demonstrating around the use of items such as flares, fireworks and smoke grenades.
If these items are used, the person responsible will be issued with a Community Protection Warning. Any breach of that warning may be escalated and could lead to an arrest.
Chief Inspector Terry Fisher, District Commander for Epping Forest, said:
“These measures in no way prevent people from exercising their democratic right to protest, but we are balancing the rights of all those concerned.
“We have spoken to local residents who have told us about the impact the use of flares and fireworks has been having on their quality of life.
“While it is important that peaceful protest activity is facilitated, it is equally important that people living nearby are affected as little as possible.
“Anyone planning to attend a demonstration is asked not to bring these items. They are impacting the Epping community and present a risk of injury.”