PC stunned by laser during asylum hotel protest

A police officer was temporarily blinded by a laser shone into his eyes during a protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.

The constable had been driving a van when he was stunned near The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, on Sunday.

Ch Insp Terry Fisher, from Essex Police, said: "It is only testament to his professionalism that he safely kept control of the van and brought it to a stop."

Two arrests were made throughout the demonstrations, during which some participants set off smoke bombs. They were a 27-year-old woman from Epping, who was arrested on suspicion of assault, and a man, 45, from Newham in east London, on suspicion of affray.

Police said the protest was otherwise peaceful.

Asylum seekers were allowed to continue living at The Bell Hotel after a landmark legal battle at the High Court in November.

A wave of protests had been staged outside it in the summer following the arrest and subsequent jailing of a migrant sex offender living there.

Essex Police said its officer had been driving a van behind protesters for their safety as they carried out a procession on Sunday.

"A laser was shone directly into their eyes, causing them to be stunned and requiring them to be taken to hospital for treatment," the force said.

"The officer is now recovering."

Fisher, the Epping Forest district commander, said officers were still routinely abused outside The Bell Hotel.

"Behaviour like this is not necessary. Our officers are trying to do a job, and they are doing it impartially and professionally," he added.

"Individuals intent on agitating have no place in Epping."

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