The battle to reclaim Epping – podcast

Jul 20, 2026 - 02:30

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Tim Burrows goes back to Epping in Essex one year after protesters from across the country descended on the small town to demonstrate against asylum seekers being housed at the Bell hotel

In July 2025 an asylum seeker staying at the Bell hotel in the small Essex town of Epping was arrested for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

The incident sparked a series of violent protests by some local people and far-right actors from across the country over housing asylum seekers at the Bell. Even the billionaire Elon Musk got involved. There were also counter-protests from residents appalled by what they saw as racism.