PFCC informed false information circulating that protesters were “bussed in” to protest

A function of the PFCC Essex is to scrutinise Essex Police and the Chief Constable of Essex Police.

In regular updates the Chief Constable of Essex Police has assured the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner: 

There is false info circulating that protesters were “bussed in” to Epping on Thursday 17 July.

This is simply not true.

• Protestors walked to the Bell Hotel to demonstrate.

• Officers were there to keep the peace and keep groups apart. That’s what the pictures show.

• Later, police actually moved some protesters away for everyone’s safety.

You can view video footage, on the Essex Police media feed, of protestors being moved away for their safety here.

The Chief Constable has assured the PFCC some people have jumped to the wrong conclusions. That’s why we’re posting this content.

If you want to know what’s happening, follow Essex Police on social media or turn to trusted journalism – Essex Police were pleased to welcome 27 reporters to ask questions – and to answer them - on Wednesday 23 July.