It is the second arrest to be linked to scenes outside The Bell Hotel in High Road on September 5.
The hotel has made national headlines after it was revealed it is being used to provide accommodation to asylum seekers
Essex Police revealed today (September 6) that it received reports that a “resident of the hotel was assaulted outside the property” during disorder on Friday evening.
A 49-year-old man from Harlow remains in police custody whilst enquiries continue.
A second man was arrested on suspicion of assault following incidents of anti-social behaviour and harassment, a spokesperson confirmed.
A number of people were reported to have been throwing projectiles, including lit flares and firecrackers, in the direction of the establishment.
Chf Supt Simon Anslow said: “I have seen reports that those living at the hotel were throwing flares – I have watched footage of the events yesterday and can say that this is categorically untrue.
“This is flagrant disinformation, the likes of which we have seen before, designed to cause trouble.
“In fact flares were being lit and thrown by those purporting to protest, but there is a stark difference between criminal behaviour and those seeking to genuinely exercise their right to protest.
READ MORE: Man arrested after lit flares thrown outside Epping hotel
“We have seen hundreds of people turn up to dozens of protests peacefully – this was not peaceful protest, it was criminality.
“Flares, firecrackers and smoke bombs are not peaceful. Assaulting those living at the hotel is not peaceful. Surrounding and intimidating people living in the hotel is not peaceful.
“All this behaviour does is sow division in our community and detract from the voices of those genuinely protesting lawfully and peacefully.”
