A protest outside a suspected asylum hotel in Essex has descended into chaos, with police arresting six demonstrators.
Bottles and smoke flares were hurled towards police vehicles during the demonstration outside the hotel in Epping.
Some set off flares in blue and red, while others held signs which read "deport foreign criminals", "we go home when they go back" and "defend our girls".
Officers from Essex Police confirmed six people had been taken into custody, with Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow saying it was disappointing to see the protest escalate into "mindless thuggery".
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|Eight people were taken into custody
Anslow told reporters: "Our cells, which have been filling up throughout the evening, are ready for you.
"I think I speak for all of us, including the people of Epping, when I say we've had enough of your criminality."
The unrest was sparked by the arrest of Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old asylum seeker from Ethiopia who was charged with a number of sexual offences.
He was arrested by officers on July 8 after reports of a man acting inappropriately towards a number of people. Kebatu appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 10 and denied all charges.
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|A protester covers their face during a demonstration outside the hotel
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|Protesters hold placards outside the hotel in Essex
Demonstrators outside the hotel, some of whom appeared to be drinking alcohol, chanted "send them home" and "save our kids", as projectiles were thrown towards police vans blocking the entrance to the hotel.
A counter-protester, an elderly woman, was escorted by police out of the area as a group of masked protesters followed her and shouted abuse.
Addressing the crowd, Ukip leader Nick Tenconi urged the crowd to remain calm, adding: "The moment it turns violent is the moment you give the establishment what they need to shut us down.
"Testosterone must be bridled, passion must be bridled, and you must stand outside this hotel every single week and send a message to the Government, I say send them home."
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|Protesters meeting outside the Epping hotel
Conservative MP for Epping Forest, Neil Hudson, who demanded the Home Office close the hotel, also called for peace, saying scenes of violence were "completely unacceptable".
He added on social media: "Police put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe. People have the right to peacefully protest, but these violent scenes are not us, not Epping, not what we stand for."
Eight police officers were injured after what started as a peaceful protest on Thursday evening. Keith Silk, 33, of Torrington Drive, Loughton, was arrested on Saturday, Essex Police said.
The force said on Sunday that the CPS had authorised police to charge Silk with one count of violent disorder and one count of criminal damage.
He was remanded into custody and will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court later today.