Essex Police officers have been spotted shepherding pro-migrant protesters to the hotel in Epping at the heart of this week's unrest. The force had at first denied escorting the demonstrators to the hotel - but have now U-turned to claim it was officers' "duty" to do so.

Violent anti-migrant protests in Epping, Essex, have cost police £100,000. Eight police officers were injured following what started as a peaceful protest outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Thursday evening. The latest protest, on Sunday, saw more than 100 demonstrators assemble outside the hotel with some chanting “save our kids”.

A town on the outskirts of London was rocked by protesters who descended on a hotel housing asylum seekers for the second time in four days on Sunday night amid anger about a migrant accused of sexual assault.