Eyewitness: Epping bitterness, the triumph of the Lionesses and more challenges ahead

Chris Hobbs reflects on the recent disorders in Epping with talk of 'civil war' on social media and another public order gathering triggered by a bit of sporting success relief.

After recent tensions in Epping which resulted in disorder and arrests, there were fears that a major anti-migrant protest and the inevitable counter-protest could lead to a serious escalation in violence between those on the extreme right and police. Certainly, there are many on social media who would welcome such a confrontation with much talk of ‘insurrection’ and ‘civil war.’

The situation was exacerbated by allegations, including that from Nigel Farage, that anti-racist protesters had been ‘bussed in’ by police during that initial Thursday evening Epping incident. Essex police were warned in respect of the gathering storm on Friday, but by Monday, the damage had been done. The “bussed in” fiction was now set in tablets of stone despite a grudging admission by Farage that he’d made his comment in error.

Nevertheless, there was still criticism that the anti-racist group had been escorted to the vicinity of hotel, albeit on foot, and that this somehow justified the violence, the level of which was such that counter-protesters did have to be ‘bussed out’ for their own safety

However, common sense amongst the Epping residents prevailed and the second Thursday protest, populated by ‘Epping mums’ was well ordered and without incident.

Nevertheless, such is the level of tension nationally surrounding the issue of ‘migrant hotels’ that Essex police rightly regarded Sunday’s planned protest and counter protest at Epping’s Bell Hotel as ‘high risk.’ This resulted in ‘aid’ from a number of other forces in the form of public order trained police support units (PSU’s). The policing plan was published and the policing tactics soon became apparent.

Leftist anti-racists would meet at Epping Station and take an alternative route to the vicinity of the hotel, via Epping’s quiet back streets which consist of expensive houses, many with countryside views. Opposite the hotel are, conveniently, large grassed areas and in the days leading up to this  protest, fences were erected divided the area into three; one for each group with a sterile area separating the two sides. There is no pavement or footpath on either side of the road in front of the hotel and it was envisaged that traffic would continue to flow along the High Road.

The Epping Confrontation that wasn’t

The anti-racists gathered in the Epping Station car park , placards were handed out from a white van and speeches commenced. A number of journalists and press photographers were present several of which were identified as being ‘far-right.’ This was the first time that I’d seen security personal deployed by the left, who, frankly, would look more at home outside a nightclub on Saturday night than in a station car park during a Sunday lunch time.

They attempted to stop all filming of the leftist gathering, pushing and jostling all journalists and photographers, be they activists from the right or national news organisations and police had little choice but to intervene.

The march itself numbered around 600 which would have delighted the organisers considering this was a foray into hostile territory as opposed to the relatively neutral streets of London. The walk took in a number of hills but the marchers continued chanting with predictable targets being Tommy Robinson and Nigel Farage. At one stage the marchers were challenged by a shaven, headed tattooed resident of one of the houses who loudly stated he was protecting his children from ‘paedos.’ He then, at the top of his voice, gave marchers and police a rendition of the Tommy Robinson song.

There was a reaction from anti-racist activists but there was no attempt at any assault as police intervened. The next point of interest on the route was a local public house where there was a small crowd of those whose views were contrary to those of the marchers. The police formed a line and slowly walked this group together with the press, back past the entrance to the penned field which was the anti-racists designated area. They swarmed into and across the field making straight for the fencing that separated them from the anti-migrant protesters. There was a predictable reaction but, as mentioned above, the two groups were kept apart by two lines of fencing and a sterile area.

Nevertheless, the scene rather resembled that of a West Ham versus Spurs or Liverpool versus Manchester United match. Strangely enough, the anti-racists remained in their section of the grassed area for less than forty-five minutes. There were no speeches; perhaps all that needed to be said was said in the Epping Station Car Park.

As the anti-racists were leaving, an attempt was made by some of the anti-migrant group, to leave their section of the penned area. Concerned, presumably, that they might attempt to confront their rivals, police blocked the exit. This led to complaints from those with children and after a few minutes, those who wished to leave were able to do so. If any from the anti-migrant group were looking for a confrontation, the overwhelming police presence was clearly a deterrent. There was a lack of speeches from the pro-Migrant crowd although there was some music including ‘Sweet Caroline’ which, as ever, had the crowd singing along.

Reports suggested that there were just three arrests and no violent incidents. The behaviour of both groups was praised by an Essex police superintendent: predictably, there has no word of praise from either side for what was a superbly executed police public order operation which permitted both sides to safely demonstrate their feelings and views.

Further hotel protests

Just days earlier there had been a protest outside the Britannia Hotel in London’s Canary Wharf where about 50 anti-racists confronted around 30 anti-migrant protesters watched over by police.

During the weekend protests against migrants being housed in hotels took place in Norwich, Altringham, Bournemouth, Leeds and Portsmouth with more being planned this weekend including at the Thistle Hotel in London’s Barbican.

Social media is meanwhile going into overdrive. The allegation of ‘bussing in’ is now set in tablets of stone. In addition, a suggestion by an activist from the right stated that a van seen unloading anti-racist placards may have been registered to police; the post received one million views.

In the most recent edition of the Mail on Sunday, a cartoon was displayed showing a police officer in his ‘new’ police uniform; a t-shirt with the slogan ‘refugees welcome here.’ Perhaps the MoS feels that the police should stand aside and let the crowds ‘have their way’ with both the errant hotels and the migrants within them.

Celebrate the Lionesses

Anticipating I’d miss most if not all of the football by virtue of my trip out to Epping, I recorded the Lionesses encounter with Spain. I’ve used the recording system thousands of times without issue, but on this occasion, something went wrong; there was no recording. I turned on the live broadcast and found there was ten minutes left; thus I saw those ten minutes, extra time and the dramatic shootout which will make local girl, Chloe Kelly, a household name. I then dashed down to my local pub to watch the presentation and join in the celebrations.

Three years ago, I was in Trafalgar Square as the Lionesses received the approbation of the nation so this year I opted to attend again along with tens of thousands of others; including many families with children, most of whom were sporting a variety of England apparel.

As I entered the park, both buses were preparing to make their way down the Mall, with the players, staff and relatives clearly enjoying the cheers of the crowd clearly delighted that their relatively late arrival was being rewarded with a close- up view of the players.

After the players had reached their destination just in front of Buckingham Palace, the Mall was opened up to the crowds in time honoured fashion. The whole event was exceptionally well organised, with several large, well- placed screens and top- quality speakers, enabling the crowd to follow events including the displaying of the trophy (twice) and Chloe Kelly’s inadvertent slip of the tongue.

The Palestinian pots and pans protest

However, as the crowds were dispersing and as I was posed to catch the Bakerloo Line away from central London, I received a phone call which directed me to Downing Street and back to reality. There was yet another ‘emergency’ protest by pro-Palestinian activists prompted by a belief that some sort of conference was being held at Number 10 linked to the Palestine crisis.

As they had done on the previous Friday, protesters turned up with pots and pans which they used as percussion instruments. This was to symbolise those in Gaza who had been killed whilst waiting for food.

It would appear that the conference was, in fact, a virtual one, but the appearance of the protesters resulted in Met officers being called in from boroughs and diverted from the football celebrations.

This weekend more protests are being organised at hotels which are believed to be housing migrants. This includes the Thistle Hotel in the City of London. Whilst the hurdle of Epping appears to have been jumped; at least for now, the remaining summer months could well prove challenging for police forces across the country as further issues emerge linked to Tommy Robinson and South Yorkshire police.

Chris Hobbs is a former Special Branch officer who follows public order events as an observer for Police Oracle.

Category: Public Order