A security guard employed at the Bell Hotel in Epping has been suspended following social media images showing him with firearms and cash amid ongoing tensions over the housing of asylum seekers and escalating protests in the area.
A security guard employed at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex—a site currently housing asylum seekers and subject to ongoing anti-immigration protests—has been suspended after images surfaced on social media showing him posing with firearms and cash. Amjad Khan, originally from Pakistan and working for Supreme Facilities, a subcontractor providing security through CTM (North) Ltd under a Home Office contract, posted the images on platforms including Instagram and Snapchat. The photos, now deleted, appear to have been taken during a visit to Pakistan and show him with a black shotgun, a handgun, and an assault rifle. Andy Lane, managing director of Supreme Facilities, confirmed Khan’s suspension and the initiation of an internal investigation.
The Bell Hotel has been a flashpoint for tension since it began housing asylum seekers, drawing protests often linked to far-right groups in Epping Forest. Campaigners such as Eddy Butler and Julian Leppert have spearheaded anti-migrant activities since 2020, frequently galvanising local unrest. The presence of figures like Callum Barker, an activist affiliated with the Homeland Party, adds to the complex dynamic of community opposition and extremist activism in the area. These protests have sometimes escalated into violence, with clashes between demonstrators and police resulting in injuries and property damage.
This volatile environment has prompted Epping Forest District Council to seek an interim High Court injunction to prevent the Bell Hotel from continuing to accommodate asylum seekers. Council leaders have cited escalating community tensions and concerns about the hotel’s proximity to schools and a care home. Despite repeated appeals, the Home Office’s response has been seen as insufficient, intensifying local frustrations.
Compounding the atmosphere of lawlessness around the Bell Hotel, there have been reports of police operations linked to organised crime, involving armed units conducting searches in the vicinity. In one instance, Essex Police arrested two men on suspicion of firearms offences connected to activities between Essex and London. While details remain limited due to the sensitive nature of the operation, these incidents illustrate the multifaceted challenges faced by the area.
The level of hostility encountered by staff at the hotel has also been troubling. There have been recent reports of a security guard attacked and left bloodied during one of the protests, with Essex Police treating the assault as a racially aggravated hate crime. Several arrests have been made in relation to the protests, highlighting the severity of the confrontations.
The Bell Hotel itself has a history marked by negative reviews and concerns over management and security prior to its current role. A 2014 TripAdvisor review detailed an experience of guest fights and unresponsive staff, remarking on a perceived lack of security that might be linked to plans to convert the premises into an elderly care home. This background adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing issues.
Taken together, the suspension of the security guard over social media images of firearms is the latest episode in a broader pattern of unrest, criminality, and community discord surrounding the Bell Hotel. The situation remains tense, with ongoing police investigations, council interventions, and protest activity continuing to shape the narrative around this contentious site.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/bell-hotel-security-guard-posed-with-guns-and-cash-on-social-media-l875qfrjx – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.hopenothate.org.uk/2025/07/18/violence-at-the-bell-hotel-far-right-footprints-in-epping-forest/ – This article discusses the far-right activities in Epping Forest, particularly focusing on the Bell Hotel in Epping. It highlights the involvement of figures like Eddy Butler and Julian Leppert in anti-migrant campaigns since 2020, leading to protests and tensions in the area. The piece also mentions the emergence of the Homeland Party and its activist Callum Barker, who has been active in local community groups and protests, despite his extremist affiliations.
- https://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/council-applies-for-injunction-against-bell-hotel-owners/ – Epping Forest District Council has applied for an interim High Court injunction to prevent the Bell Hotel in Epping from housing asylum seekers. The council cites escalating community tensions and the proximity of the hotel to schools and a care home as primary concerns. The council leader, Chris Whitbread, expressed frustration over the Home Office’s lack of response and emphasized the urgency of the situation.
- https://www.essexnewsandinvestigations.com/single-post/exclusive-secrecy-around-firearms-op-in-market-town-epping-linked-to-organised-crime-in-london – This article reports on a police operation in Epping, Essex, where armed units were seen near the Bell Hotel. Residents observed police activity, including searching grass areas, and the operation was linked to organized crime between Essex and London. Essex Police arrested two men on suspicion of firearms offences, but details about the operation remained limited due to its sensitivity.
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/essex-migrant-hotel-protest-epping-far-right-why-b2792740.html – The Independent reports on a series of violent protests outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, which is housing asylum seekers. The protests, which began in July, were sparked by the arrest of an asylum seeker charged with sexual offences. The article details the clashes between protesters and police, resulting in injuries and property damage, and highlights the involvement of far-right groups in the demonstrations.
- https://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotel_Review-g503778-d263069-Reviews-The_Bell_Hotel_Epping-Epping_Essex_England.html – A TripAdvisor review from December 2014 describes a family’s negative experience at The Bell Hotel in Epping. The reviewer recounts incidents of fighting among guests, unresponsive hotel staff, and a lack of security measures. The review also mentions that the hotel had planning permission to be converted into an old people’s home, which may explain the management’s disregard for guest safety.
- https://www.inkl.com/news/police-launch-hate-crime-probe-after-security-guard-left-bloodied-during-protest-outside-epping-migrant-hotel – This article reports on a suspected hate crime investigation following an attack on a security guard outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex. The incident occurred during a protest involving anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters. The security guard was left bloodied after being assaulted by a group of men. Essex Police are treating the attack as racially aggravated and have made multiple arrests in connection with the protests.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is current, with the earliest known publication date of similar content being 12 August 2025, when Epping Forest District Council applied for an injunction against the Bell Hotel owners. ([eppingforestdc.gov.uk](https://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/council-applies-for-injunction-against-bell-hotel-owners/?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data, such as the suspension of the security guard and ongoing police investigations, which justifies a higher freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from Andy Lane, managing director of Supreme Facilities, confirming the suspension of the security guard and the initiation of an internal investigation. These quotes appear to be original, as no identical matches were found in earlier material. However, variations in wording may exist, and the absence of earlier matches suggests potential originality.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Times, a reputable UK newspaper, which adds credibility to the information presented.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The report aligns with known events, such as the protests at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, and the suspension of the security guard. The inclusion of specific details, such as the security guard’s name, the company he works for, and the nature of the images posted, supports the plausibility of the narrative. However, the report’s tone is somewhat dramatic, which may warrant further scrutiny.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is current and originates from a reputable source, with plausible claims supported by specific details. While the tone is somewhat dramatic, the information aligns with known events, and no significant credibility risks were identified.
