Eyewitness: Epping, Gaza, Met morale and another potential Orgreave

Chris Hobbs rounds up the latest events, including the events in Epping linked to the Bell Hotel.

Public order events at the time of writing have been dominated by events in Epping linked to the Bell Hotel and its decision to accept a Home Office contract in respect of the housing of migrants. The catalyst for the protest and counter-protest was an alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl; the suspect has been arrested, charged and remanded in custody pending trial.

Last Sunday saw a protest and counter-protest in Epping, which saw protesters boasting that they had run ‘Antifa’ counter-protesters out of town. Thursday saw more challenges for police in Eppin,g and there were further issues today (Sunday) at the time of writing

I personally had no idea that the above events in Epping were taking place, and normally prefer to comment on events that I’ve actually witnessed. However, following last week’s protests, I did state the following:

“It’s hard not to escape the feeling, given the oft-repeated sentiments on social media, that many would welcome a repeat of the disorder seen across the UK almost twelve months ago. Footage of a bloodied migrant resident at the above-mentioned hotel, apparently assaulted by protesters, which appeared on ‘X’ was greeted with approbation by hundreds.”

So, whilst I wasn’t present at the Epping confrontations, there was significant coverage by national, local and social media; professional journalists were present in addition to ‘citizen journalists’ with clear agendas. However, some who were identified as bona fide journalists found themselves being jostled and threatened by elements amongst the protesters.

The statement that those protesting against the occupants of the hotel consisted almost entirely of ‘locals’ was clearly problematic. Indeed, one of those present and who criticised Essex police tactics for essentially allowing both sides to protest and counter-protest within sight of each other, is a “well-known pro-Israeli”. He, with others, appears amid pro-Palestinian protests, hoping to provoke a violent reaction.

There has been much comment from both those on the right and left of the political spectrum that freedom of speech is being unfairly curbed; however, it would seem that this freedom of speech didn’t extend on last Thursday evening to leftist anti-racist groups.

Epping disorder requires ‘riot gear’

Those individuals, numbering between 30 and 50, apparently met at Epping Station intending to make their way to the Bell Hotel in order to stage a counter-protest. Here, there appears a degree of confusion with suggestions from those on the right claiming that ‘ANTIFA’ were bused in. Others suggested that they were simply escorted on foot by Essex officers.

In any event, the sight of anti-racist counter-protesters sent those already present into paroxysms of fury. According to neutral observers, police and anti-racists were pelted with missiles including eggs, flour and more disturbingly, rocks. The level of disorder was clearly not anticipated by Essex police, and assistance was called for from the Met and British Transport Police.

One journalist who was present (a fully qualified journalist as opposed to a self-anointed individual) and who is familiar with public order policing, ‘graded’ the disorder on a scale of one to 10 as a seven, which escalated to an eight as he left due to concerns for his own safety. This explains officers being ‘kitted’ complete with helmets and, unusually these days, shields, both long and short.

Footage on social media did few favours to the protesters who were shown kicking police carriers and in one case, running across the roof. Other footage shows aggressive crowds kicking and punching riot shields held by officers who had to work hard to protect the counter-protesters.

Additional reports suggested that rather than being bused in by police, as suggested by some on the far right, anti-racist protesters were, ‘bused out’ for their own safety. Reports and footage have now confirmed that protesters were taken away from the scene by Met Police carriers.

There was further controversy when protesters tried to ‘hem in’ police carriers using roadworks barriers and themselves. Allegations that one ‘journalist’ was run down by a moving carrier appear unfounded, thanks to footage appearing on ‘X.’ Another protester was gently ‘pushed aside’ by a moving carrier.

The level of disorder can often, perversely, be illustrated by the lack of arrests in that officers simply can’t spare the numbers to make arrests and then transport prisoners. This was evident during last summer’s riots, hence the large number of post-incident investigations and subsequent arrests.

Sunday (the 20th) saw the third protest by ‘locals’ at the hotel. Police were shown entering a ‘peaceful’ crowd to make an arrest. The head of UKIP was seen on a live YouTube channel appealing for calm and, despite the above arrest, this appears to be a more restrained affair involving families; however, skirmishes with police broke out after darkness fell, resulting in six arrests. Four of those were for alleged offences committed on Thursday evening. Essex police reported that a female walking through the crowd had missiles thrown at her and had to be escorted by officers. One male was arrested for damaging an unmarked police vehicle. Officers were ‘kitted’ and ‘aid’ from Norfolk and, together with the highly regarded BTP Operational Support Unit, were present assisting Essex colleagues.

London’s pro-Palestine protests

Saturday saw the Palestine Solidarity Campaign stage its regular national demonstration ‘for Gaza’ in central London. The day was somewhat complicated when it was announced that pro-Palestine Action protesters would stage another illicit protest in Parliament Square. Care was taken to ensure there was no direct linkage between the two, and on a rain-soaked morning, 55 arrests under terrorist legislation were made in Parliament Square, with several being visibly infirm and requiring the assistance of officers.

Also present were two of the above-mentioned pro-Israeli ‘inserts’ who were clearly enjoying the spectacle.

The pouring rain did little to dampen the spirits of those marching under the banner of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, with their agreed route taking them across Westminster Bridge, then back across Waterloo Bridge before walking down the Strand; their final destination being Whitehall.

As usual, there was a static pro-Israeli, ‘Stop the Hate’ protest on the opposite side of Waterloo Bridge. The Met had arranged a large sterile area that would keep both sides apart, although pro-Israeli numbers appeared down on previous occasions.

The ‘Stop the Hate’ sound system again dominated that part of the route. Officers policing this march now had to contend with the inevitable complexities in respect of possible support for Palestine Action, as well as the other familiar legal issues which have been present since October 7, 2023.

As the march began to appear, the familiar ‘compare’ who monopolises the microphone of the powerful speaker system, clearly spotted something he was not happy with and began shouting, ‘do your job.’ This cry, directed at police, was taken up by others as officers began looking around, wondering what he was talking about. This individual then began a lengthy commentary on events, which largely consisted of accusing protesters of being Hamas supporters and of being on the losing side of the conflict. His view that there is no genocide is clearly one that many on the march would debate, while his other assertion, that there is “no starvation” in Gaza, raised some eyebrows.

Police made one visible arrest as the march passed this potential flashpoint, while protesters made their feelings known, indeed, counter-protesters who punctuated the chanting and the ‘compares’ commentary with songs including ‘I’m still standing’ and ‘Don’t stop me now.’

After the march had passed, the compares, who had earlier been critical of the police, publicly thanked officers as attention moved to Whitehall amidst improving weather. In Whitehall, a number of marchers left without listening to the speeches, while others listened attentively, occasionally chanting or applauding. As usual, the younger elements gathered in groups and indulged in drumming, singing and chanting. In all the atmosphere was relaxed and, although police- imposed conditions stated the event could finish at six pm, it had effectively concluded by 4.30.

There was one further arrest; a female with a trolley bag, who had been walking alone down the middle of the Strand shouting slogans, was arrested in Whitehall to the chagrin of a small group of pro-Palestinians. This would appear to have brought the total arrests in respect of the march up to 10; this was in addition to the above-mentioned 55 Parliament Square arrests.

Dover protest

Also on Saturday, a ‘stop the boats’ rally held on Dover seafront attracted several hundred protesters. There was no counter-protest, and the event passed off without incident.

Cutbacks and tenure concern officers

A feature of the afternoon for me whilst in central London was clear concerns amongst front-line officers in respect of forthcoming cutbacks, which will inevitably result in enforced changes and increased pressures. Already, officers are leaving the Met in large numbers, with many more contemplating doing so. In addition, the Met’s apparent decision to implement a form of tenure is not being received with any enthusiasm even amongst those whom it may be designed to benefit

Quite what form this tenure will take is, at present, unclear, although word is that officers who have been performing duty in a particular role for 10 years will have to move.

Tenure, under former Commissioner Paul Condon, involved, amongst other provisions, officers moving from specialist CID-linked duties back to uniform. This implementation of tenure was generally viewed as a controversial and unpopular failure and was abandoned after his departure.

One suggested aspect in relation to the implementation of the 10-year rule is that officers who have 25 years’ service will, on being forcibly transferred, simply take their entitled retirement rather than perform a role they dislike for a further five years.

Back to the future: Another Epping protest

However, whilst Epping is not in the Met, events that take place there in the future may well impact upon policing in London. A threat by Tommy Robinson to bring thousands to Epping next Sunday (27th July) will result in a major policing operation, and perhaps is designed to be that major Orgreave-like confrontation with police that many on the far-right are yearning for.

Equally, moving the migrants out before Sunday will be hailed as a triumph by most on the right of the political spectrum, which could, in turn, set a precedent for other contentious issues.

Challenging times.