Police hit squads to prevent repeat of riots last summer

MINISTERS have vowed to prevent any repeat of last summer’s riots after warnings that anger over migrant hotels could spark mass disorder.

- By Jonathan Walker Whitehall Editor

The Home Office has revealed “well-tested contingency plans” with specially-trained police ready to respond to violent protests.

It comes after ugly scenes outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping, Essex, last week.

There have been repeated protests near The Bell Hotel after an asylum seeker was charged with sexual assault, accused of trying to kiss a 14-year-old girl.

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Police Federation chair Tiff Lynch said the violence in Epping “was not just a troubling one-off”.

Tory MP Neil Hudson, who represents the constituency where the hotel is located, said: “I have a tinderbox community. I’ve got very distressed residents.”