A dispersal order has been issued under section 14 of the Public Order Act giving the police the right to abolish unlawful assembly.

At least two people have been arrested after protesters clashed with police officers as hundreds of people made their way from Cheshunt to Epping to protest against the use of a hotel as asylum accommodation.

Essex Police said in a statement: “We’re putting in place a Section 60AA order in Epping to stop anyone coming into the area to conceal their identity.

“Since mid-afternoon today, Friday 29 August, there has been a small group of people gathering outside The Bell Hotel and there have been no issues reported or seen by officers in the area.

“Throughout the evening, we have monitored a protest in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, and we now believe a group of people present there are planning to travel to Epping. A number of people involved in that group have been seen wearing facemasks and balaclavas.

“The order covers the area shown in the map below and is in place for up to 24 hours. The authorisation also covers policing colleagues in British Transport Police.

“Assistant Chief Constable Glen Pavelin said: “We will always seek to facilitate peaceful protest, for all groups.

“But the threat of anti-social behaviour and criminality by people attempting to conceal their identity steps outside of the reasonableness of protest and we have a duty to protect our community.

“My officers will be fair and engaging, but they will be firm in how they deal with anyone who is asked to remove a face covering and refuses. Anyone who does not will face arrest.”

Protesters from Cheshunt have been seen arriving in Epping as at least two arrests are made following altercations between police officers and protesters.

Chants of “stop the boats” and “Keir Starmer is a w******” can be heard as police attempt to control crowds calling them “scum” and “traitors”.

Another woman can be heard telling a female police officer that she is “vile” after arresting a young protester.

Video footage posted on YouTube showed dozens of protesters behind barriers near the Delta Marriott hotel, which has also been used to house asylum seekers.

Police stood in front of the barriers and some roads were closed with counter-protesters from Stand Up To Racism also in attendance.

At one point, protesters appeared to clash with officers, with several skirmishes taking place between police and protesters.

In one video, protesters can be heard chanting: “You’re not English anymore.”

Councillor Corina Gander, the leader of Broxbourne Council in Hertfordshire, said in a statement on Thursday that she “remains concerned” about the impact the use of the Delta Marriott hotel is having on local services.

The council said it has taken legal advice about use of the hotel and said it intends to take enforcement action.

“This action will help us to meet our objective of seeking the closure of the Delta Marriott hotel for housing asylum seekers,” Cllr Gander said.

Protesters from Stand up to Racism have been in attendance at several asylum hotels this evening, including Cheshunt.

They said they were demonstrating “against fascists targeting refugees in Marriott Hotel.”

Speaking last week, Corina Gander, leader of Broxbourne Council in Hertfordshire, said a hotel in the town of Cheshunt puts “an enormous strain on local services”.

She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that her council would be looking to do what Epping Council had done after claiming that they had previously tried to get legal advice to block the hotel, but had not been successful.

Broxbourne Council responded to today’s hearing with the following statement: “The Council has taken legal advice regarding the use of the Delta Marriott Hotel in Cheshunt for the accommodation of asylum seekers and intends to take enforcement action.”

Officers scrambled across the road in a desperate attempt to block the path of protesters in Cheshunt.

On Friday, Lord Justice Bean, sitting with Lady Justice Nicola Davies and Lord Justice Cobb, said that Mr Justice Eyre made an “erroneous” decision not to let the department be involved.

Reading a summary of their decision, Lord Justice Bean said the Home Office had a “constitutional role relating to public safety” and was affected by the issues.

He continued: “The judge’s approach ignores the obvious consequence that the closure of one site means capacity needs to be identified elsewhere in the system.”

Quashing the injunction, Lord Justice Bean also said: “We grant permission to appeal, both to Somani and to (the Home Office).” He continued: “We allow the appeals and we set aside the injunction imposed on 19 August 2025.”

The entire protest was live streamed from the ground on YouTube with multiple other clips shared widely on social media, including alarming footage of police clashing with members of the public.

Flag-bearing protesters were met in the area by a group of activists wielding anti-far right signs and slogans.