Two men have been charged after they were arrested during a protest outside a hotel that is housing asylum seekers.
Essex Police said the men, who are both from the local area, were charged in relation to incidents outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Friday night.
One man was charged with failing to produce a specimen after being arrested on suspicion of drink driving, and the second with assaulting an emergency worker.
Assistant Chief Constable Glen Pavelin said that while most protesters had participated safely, “the right to protest does not include a right to commit crime”.
The latest in a series of protests was held on Epping High Road after the Court of Appeal overturned a temporary injunction that had blocked asylum seekers from living there.
Police said officers were maintaining a police cordon on Friday evening when a white car reportedly drove towards the officers, on the wrong side of the road.
Officers stopped the vehicle and took the driver into custody on suspicion of drink driving.
Ross Ellis, 49, of Orchard Croft, Harlow, has now been charged with failing to provide a specimen. He is due before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
A second man was arrested at 21:20 after a police officer sustained an ankle injury.
Jimmy Hillard, 52, of Chequers Road in Loughton, has been charged with assaulting an emergency worker and is due in court on Monday.
A third man arrested on suspicion of violent disorder remains in custody.
Mr Pavelin said: “We’ve worked very closely with our Crown Prosecution Service colleagues overnight to secure these charges, and the cases will now proceed through the court system appropriately.
“To our residents in Epping, you will continue to see a policing presence in the area throughout this afternoon and into this evening.”
