This is the shocking moment protesters clashed with police outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.

The incident took place yesterday (thurs) outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex amid ongoing demonstrations following a sexual assault allegation last week.

A 38-year-old man has been accused of sexual assault, prompting nightly protests at the site.

Footage from the latest demonstration shows a crowd approaching a marked police van and hurling objects at it while it was parked outside the hotel.

Another video shows a person climbing onto the front of the police van as it attempted to drive away, raising their hands in the air in front of a cheering crowd.

Further footage video shows someone kicking a police van's windscreen, smashing it completely while fireworks are seen exploding nearby.

Eggs were also thrown during the unrest, with police officers present at the scene attempting to manage the crowd.