Dozens of protesters have marched on a suspected migrant hotel in Essex in a fourth day of action after an asylum seeker was charged with sexual assault.
One of the protesters has been arrested, police said, as more than 100 demonstrators gathered on Sunday evening.
Protesters were heard chanting âsave our kidsâ, with some setting off flares in blue and red, while others held signs which read âdeport foreign criminalsâ, âwe go home when they go backâ and âdefend our girlsâ.
Bottles and smoke flares were thrown towards police vans blocking the entrance to the hotel.
Prior to the start of the action, Essex Police announced it would order demonstrators to remove face coverings when requested under section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
Demonstrators who refuse to remove a face mask when ordered to do so face arrest and could be imprisoned if convicted, the force said.
âThe right to peaceful protest is protected by law and allows everyone freedom of expression, but this must be done respectfully and if there is a risk to public order, we will act appropriately,â officers said.
It comes after a man was charged with violent disorder and criminal damage on Sunday afternoon following previous clashes outside the hotel.
Eight police officers were injured after what started as a peaceful protest on Thursday evening.
Keith Silk, 33, of Torrington Drive, Loughton, was arrested on Saturday, Essex Police said.
The force said on Sunday that the CPS had authorised police to charge Silk with one count of violent disorder and one count of criminal damage.
He was remanded into custody and will appear at Chelmsford Magistratesâ Court on Monday.
Thursdayâs demonstration was one of a series of protests outside the hotel since 38-year-old asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexual assault after an incident where he is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
He denied the charge when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistratesâ Court on Thursday.
Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said on Friday that he believes that a lot of those responsible for the violence outside the hotel came from beyond the borders of Epping.
He said: âWe actually saw last night we believe outsiders from our communities. People have come from outside their local areas into Epping to commit acts of violence and damage.
âThat was really disappointing to see, because we know our communities wanted a voice and wanted to tell us what was going on, and they were peaceful in their activity.
âIâve seen some of the social media comments and spoken to a number of members of the community, and there are polarised views.
âBut itâs our role as police to be independent and to, without fear or favour, make sure that people have the right to peaceful protest.
âWhat I wonât stand for is those mindless acts of vandalism and violence that we saw and making sure that we are very robust in supporting our communities.
âOur communities donât want to see this violence, and they want to have their voice heard peacefully.â
One resident living next to the hotel, who did not want to be named, said: âItâs all horrible. Epping is a very nice place.
âIt is very unfortunate that this has attracted people from outside the area.
âThey [those staying in the hotel] havenât given us any safety concerns. The safety concerns are from those protesting.
âThe police will be here tonight, they were here last night.
âBut I know thereâs a lot of mixed views in the town about the hotel.â