To the Home Secretary and Members of Parliament,

We, the undersigned, are calling for the immediate and permanent closure of the Bell Hotel in Epping and the Phoenix Hotel in Bobbingworth. Both are currently being used by the Home Office to process asylum applications.

These two hotels, located just 2.5 miles apart in the Epping Forest District, have become the focus of serious safety concerns. In recent weeks:

• One asylum seeker has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault of a schoolgirl in broad daylight in Epping
• Another individual has been arrested for arson

These incidents have caused understandable fear, anger and distress in our community and have attracted widespread national media attention.

From the very beginning, Epping Forest District Council has consistently and strongly opposed the use of these sites for asylum accommodation. We have repeatedly warned the Home Office that the Bell and Phoenix Hotels are completely unsuitable for this purpose. Our objections and concerns have been raised time and again, only to be ignored.

Placing vulnerable individuals in the centre of a small town and a rural village without proper supervision, support services or infrastructure is reckless. It has put pressure on already stretched local services, causes anxiety for residents and fails the individuals placed there.

Crucially, we have no idea who is being placed in these hotels or what risk they may pose to our community. The Government’s actions are irresponsible and reckless, potentially endangering our area, as the last two serious incidents have clearly shown.

We are also deeply concerned about rising community tensions. Epping Forest has a history of extreme far-right activity, including the presence of groups such as the Homeland Party and previously elected British National Party councillors. The Government’s inaction risks fuelling division and undermining community cohesion.

Our community feels ignored and let down. Epping Forest has been forced to carry an unfair burden in the ongoing illegal immigration crisis.
We are calling on Parliament and the Home Secretary to take urgent action to:

• Permanently close the Bell Hotel and Phoenix Hotel as asylum accommodation
• Stop placing asylum seekers in unsuitable hotels in small towns and rural areas
• Properly consult with local councils before placing people in their area

We want to keep our community safe and united. Urgent action is needed by Government to close the hotels, end this situation and act before further issues arise.