British police are gearing up for potential unrest as immigration protests are expected in Epping, Essex, this weekend. With tensions rising, especially around the Bell Hotel, currently housing asylum seekers, police say hundreds of officers will be on duty.

Recent protests turned violent, with five men charged and eight officers injured. The unrest follows news of an Ethiopian asylum seeker accused of sexual offences, charges he denies.

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington assured the public that Essex remains safe, and peaceful protests will be allowed, but violence won’t be tolerated. The situation adds pressure on PM Keir Starmer, who’s facing criticism over the record number of migrants arriving by small boats.