Police debunk social media claims linking Epping car incident suspect to asylum hotel

Police say the speculation is ‘not helpful’
Police have dismissed social media claims that a man who reportedly tried to get into a woman’s car was linked to an asylum hotel .

The woman said that the man tried to open her car door and gestured at her on Epping New Road in Epping, Essex on Tuesday morning.

She has reported the alleged incident to Essex Police.

The suspect was described as a white man aged between 30 and 40, wearing a navy blue coat, jeans, and a woolly hat.

Officers said they were aware of online reports linking the suspect to the Bell Hotel , but stressed that there was no evidence of any connection.

The hotel was at the centre of protests last summer after an asylum seeker housed there was later jailed and deported for sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl.

“We are aware of social media reports suggesting the suspect is linked to The Bell Hotel.

Through our ongoing enquiries we do not believe this to be the case,” Essex Police said in a statement.

“Speculation of this kind is not helpful.

We are supporting the victim and working hard to apprehend the suspect as quickly as possible.”
Witnesses with any CCTV or dashcam footage were urged to come forward.