A homeless asylum seeker wanted for failing to appear in court has been arrested after being spotted wandering around a school near Epping by teachers.

Police were called to Davenant School, in Loughton, after the man was seen entering the school grounds after he was 'acting unusually' in a nearby park.

When they arrived at the school, staff had already escorted the man off-site but officers located the man nearby.

Officers arrested the man after finding out he was wanted by another force for failing to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court for an alleged public order-related offence.

Despite online speculation, police added that the man has no relation to nearby The Bell Hotel, where protests took place over the summer over the housing of asylum seekers.

According to the school, the man was seen in a school field and had no interaction with staff or students.

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

'On-site staff had seen the man acting unusually in Willingale Park before then entering the school grounds.

A homeless asylum seeker has been arrested after being spotted wandering into a school near Epping

Police were called to Davenant School, in Loughton, after the man was seen entering the school grounds after he was 'acting unusually' in a nearby park

'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: 'Yesterday 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.'

Wanted asylum seeker seen wandering into Epping school