Open letter calling for calm
Seven Essex political leaders sign joint open letter calling for calm in Epping.
Read the open letter
On behalf of:
- The Group Leaders of Epping Forest District Council
- The Police Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex
- The Leader of Essex County Council
- Epping Town Mayor
- The Member of Parliament for the Constituency of Epping Forest
The signatories to this letter agree that the right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy.
The residents of Epping have experienced unprecedented levels of anxiety and disruption. People are hurt and dismayed. Since July, the lives of Epping residents have also been upended by a series of spontaneous and planned protests associated with the Bell Hotel.
Local civic leaders support the right to protest. However, there have been several well-documented instances of lawlessness associated with the demonstrations, considerably adding to the anxiety and concern of our residents. Local high street businesses are not immune to the impact of the demonstrations. Shop and office workers are also affected.
The scenes of violence have been played out on social media and national news. The Police continue to make arrests and bring people to court.
We appeal to the organisers of the twice-weekly demonstrations to consider the wider feelings of the people of Epping they seek to represent. As we come to the end of the summer, our community needs some respite from the on-going disruption.
We therefore say to you directly. Your demonstrations have placed Epping in the news headlines for weeks. Your voices have been heard. Now give our community breathing space. Allow Epping High Street to return to normal so that our businesses can trade, our children can go to school and our residents can go about their daily lives again.
Thank you.
Councillor Chris Whitbread – Leader of Epping Forest District Council and the Conservative Group
Councillor Chris Pond – Leader of the Loughton Residents Association Group
Councillor Jon Whitehouse – Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group
Councillor Kevin Bentley – Leader of Essex County Council
Dr Neil Hudson – Member of Parliament for the Constituency of Epping Forest
Roger Hirst – Police Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex
Councillor Janet Whitehouse – Mayor of Epping
Additional signatories
Councillor Bob Church – Member of Epping Forest District Council and the Conservative Group
District Councillor Ken Williamson
Councillor Stephen Murray – Independent District Councillor, Loughton Roding Ward
District Councillor Edward Barnard
Council thanks police for prosecution
Read the council’s thank you to Essex Police
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