Police let wanted man go after he climbs into school amid local fears of 'migrants watching girls'

POLICE let a wanted man go after he was caught climbing into a school.

Essex Police have denied the man was a migrant living at The Bell Hotel in Epping after rumours circulated on Facebook.

However, locals fear he is a migrant living elsewhere and suggested there was a second man with him who did not enter the grounds of Davenant Foundation School in Loughton, Essex.

The force confirmed the man was wanted for failing to attend court in relation to offences alleged to have been committed outside the country.

It did not confirm what the offences were.

But, he was not taken into custody and was released on bail.

Locals said on Facebook men have been lurking near local schools and staring at girls.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: "We were alerted to concerns for the welfare of a man in the grounds of Davenant School, in Loughton, this morning, Wednesday 17 September (2025).

"On-site staff had seen the man acting unusually in Willingale Park before then entering the school grounds. When he was approached by school staff, who asked him to leave, he complied immediately. Officers who had been sent to the school to help then found him nearby and identified that the man was wanted for failing to attend court for alleged offences which had taken place outside of Essex.

"He was arrested for failing to attend and we’ve been in contact with the owning force. The man has subsequently been released on bail. No criminal offences relating to this incident were reported to Essex Police. We are aware of speculation online that this individual resides at The Bell Hotel, and we can confirm this is not the case."

A spokesperson for Davenant Foundation School said: "This morning our site team spotted a man on the school field. They intercepted him and he was escorted off the premises immediately.

"He had no other interaction with any other staff or students. The police were notified and attended the school site."

Rdesidents have said on Facebook they were going to protest outside Loughton police station from 6pm this evening about the man's relesase.