Police warning as protest expected in Epping
Essex Police have restrictions in place under the Public Order Act
Last updated 21st Sep 2025
Essex Police have introduced restrictions in Epping ahead of another planned protest in the town.
Groups are expected to gather close to The Bell Hotel from 4pm on Sunday (21 September), which has been the focus of a number of protests in recent weeks.
The force said the, under Section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, are designed to ensure that the rights of all members of the community are respected and protected.
Officers have warned anyone attending the protest and failing to comply with the conditions, faces being arrested.
Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: “We remain committed to facilitating peaceful protest and will continue to engage with organisers and participants to ensure that everyone understands the conditions and the reasons behind the restrictions.
"It is our aim to keep everybody safe and our policing approach will continue to remain impartial, proportionate, and focused on protecting the rights of all.
“We understand that many people feel strongly about the use of hotels in this way, and we understand that everybody has a right to protest, and we want to ensure that people can protest in a safe environment.
“But we also have a duty to protect the rights of others—including the right to live in peace, to feel safe in your own home, and to go about your daily life.
“Imposing conditions on assembly is never a decision we take lightly but over recent weeks, Essex Police has received a growing number of reports from local residents and businesses describing the impact of protest activity.
“These restrictions are a direct response to the impact that protest activity is having on the wider Epping community. They are not about favouring one group over another—they are about striking a fair balance between competing rights and ensuring that protest does not come at the expense of public safety and community wellbeing.”