Home / Crime and Justice / Officer Blindsided by Laser During Asylum Seeker Protest
Officer Blindsided by Laser During Asylum Seeker Protest
20 Jan
Summary
- Officer driving a van was temporarily blinded by a laser.
- Incident occurred during a protest outside The Bell Hotel.
- Two arrests were made, one for assault and one for affray.
An Essex police officer suffered temporary blindness when a laser was directed into their eyes outside The Bell Hotel in Epping on Sunday. The constable was driving a van behind protesters for their safety when the incident occurred. The officer was taken to the hospital for treatment and is now recovering.
Two arrests were made during the protest, which involved the use of smoke bombs. A woman from Epping was arrested on suspicion of assault, and a man from Newham was arrested on suspicion of affray. Police described the protest as otherwise peaceful.
Asylum seekers continue to reside at The Bell Hotel following a High Court legal battle in November. This location has been the site of previous protests throughout the summer. Essex Police have stated that their officers are routinely subjected to abuse at the hotel.
