Two police officers were taken to hospital after being bitten and spat at during two nights of anti-immigration protests in Thetford, Norfolk, which saw mobs target homes linked to asylum seekers. A female officer was 'seriously bitten' with the bite breaking her skin, a male colleague was struck with a rock, and a third officer was spat at, according to Norfolk Police.
Violence erupts over two nights
The disorder began on Tuesday when crowds of up to 100 people stormed homes in St John's Way, Thetford, shouting and attempting to gain access to properties. A small group managed to enter one home, force a resident out, and steal their phone, police said. Windows were smashed and fences broken, and people attempted to break into a residential property.
On Thursday evening, two men were arrested after the attacks on officers. Other arrests were made for offences including public order, harassment, and possession of an offensive weapon. One man in his 40s remains in custody, while Brian Thompson, 68, of Fairfields, has been charged with possessing a wooden bat and bailed ahead of a court appearance on August 25.
Increased police powers granted
In response to the ongoing unrest, increased police powers were granted this evening, allowing officers to direct people to remove face coverings or leave the area if they commit or 'may commit' anti-social behaviour. Those who refuse to remove a face covering when asked could be arrested, Norfolk Police added.
The force said 'significant police resources' were deployed to Thetford on Wednesday night after a large group gathered on Clover Way, with reports of people 'trying to gain access to a residential property' and becoming 'physically aggressive towards officers'.
Political reactions
Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice claimed the disorder is a sign that 'local people are furious that large numbers of illegal migrants are being dumped into their locality'. He told Times Radio: 'Those local communities should be allowed to express that concern and anxiety without instantly being smeared and labelled as being bigots in some way. That is very different to any form of violence.'
However, local MP Terry Jermy called the 'ugly scenes' 'deeply concerning' and 'difficult to watch'. He has previously called on the Home Office to end 'secrecy and confusion' around plans to house more asylum seekers in former military barracks, including at RAF Barnham near Thetford.
Local residents describe the scene
One unnamed resident of Clover Way described how at around 9.30pm on Wednesday, 'lots of young boys … came up on bikes and chucked eggs at the house'. The protest started 'peaceful' until extra officers arrived and formed a line, after which it 'started to get a little bit rowdy' as protesters 'took a step forward' towards law enforcement. She said police 'started pepper-spraying people', including 'a lady in a wheelchair', and that 'a few young idiots picking up stones, lobbing them at a police car'.
Scott Hussey, a Reform UK councillor for the Brecks ward, said the street was divided with 30 officers on one side and about 80 'people from the town' on the other. He insisted it was 'mainly peaceful' when he was there, with many people who had 'just come out of their houses to watch'.
Ongoing tensions
Windows on a terraced house on the street appeared to be smeared with broken eggs today, and a marked police car was parked nearby, close to a primary school. The police response was criticised by some local people, with the resident saying: 'This is a very quiet estate; nothing happens here.'
