As someone who used to live in Epping and still has family just minutes away, I was completely stunned by what I witnessed outside the Bell Hotel on Sunday, July 20. I arrived at around 5.45pm, expecting to see a few people gathered quietly. But what I found instead was a furious mob, voices raised and tensions sky-high, all rallying outside the once-vacant hotel now at the centre of a national immigration row.

The Bell Hotel, a once-sleepy spot in this historic Essex town, is now housing asylum seekers, and some of the locals aren’t having it. Thanks to social media, the protest had drawn people not just from Epping but from across the country. There were signs, shouting, and an unmistakable sense of outrage. The issue of migrants being placed in the area has been a simmering source of tension for years, but it reached breaking point recently after a local schoolgirl was reportedly sexually assaulted by one of the men staying in the hotel. That horrific incident has pushed community frustration into full-blown fury.

As a woman navigating the crowd on my own, it felt intimidating, to say the least. One of the older men approached me, thrust his iPhone in my face, and said, “Cor, could you step into the road and stop the police? You would do a better job than us.” I assumed he was referring to the other men swaggering across the pavement with their beer cans.

I should mention that, alongside the groups of men, there was an unexpectedly high number of children at the protest. Some stayed close to their parents, while other pre-teen boys, wearing balaclavas, gathered in groups, which was far from comforting.

The presence of so many children at the demonstration sparked numerous complaints on local Facebook groups, with some questioning whether this was really an appropriate time and place for anyone under 18.

Regardless of which side of the argument you are on, The Bell Hotel, once a quaint and vibrant local establishment, now stands in a sorry state, surrounded by security barriers and under tight watch, while many celebrities, including Sir Rod Stewart, live just a stone’s throw away.

As I navigated through the crowd, what struck me most was how male-dominated and intense it all was. Although I didn’t witness any violence, it definitely didn’t feel like a peaceful or inclusive protest.

Groups of men gathered in clusters, shouting at the building, demanding answers and evictions. People there showed their anger not just at migrants, but also at the Labour government and local authorities.

They seemed furious that decisions are made behind closed doors, with no consultation or regard for those who have lived here for decades. I recall jogging down this road during lockdown when it was quiet, neighbourly, and, most importantly, safe.

It’s heartbreaking to see it now become the centre of anger and hatred from those disillusioned by our government. With another protest planned for later in the week, it’s clear this issue isn’t going away and that tensions will only rise until their concerns are addressed.