Britain07 August, 20263 min read
Norfolk Police Arrest Two Men After Thetford Anti-Immigration Disorder Over Asylum Homes
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Two men in their 40s arrested Thursday, total arrests rise to five. Third night of unrest in Thetford as protesters target asylum-seeker homes.
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Third night in Thetford
Violence and disorder in Thetford, Norfolk, continued for a third consecutive night after angry residents tried to storm homes believed to be used by asylum seekers, with riot police deployed to guard more properties in the town. Norfolk Police said two men were arrested on Thursday evening, including one arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred in connection with events on Wednesday and another arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and failing to provide details to police when asked. Crowds chanted "Get them out, get them out" as demonstrators hurled eggs and police formed a line around a property where asylum seekers were being accommodated.
The turmoil followed earlier unrest in Thetford that included stones and eggs thrown at a house and a window smashed, and it escalated after protests over migrants being housed in a residential street intensified. In the first night of chaos, five men were escorted by police from a property on St John’s Way, prompting protesters to brand the officers 'traitors'.
Police, Pava spray, and MPs
Norfolk Police defended their response to the unrest, including the use of Pava spray, after criticism that a bystander in a mobility scooter was affected. A police spokeswoman said, "It was not the intention for any bystander to be impacted; however, where people remain within an area of active disorder and do not follow police instructions to move away, there is a risk they may be affected by tactics deployed to protect public safety." Assistant Chief Constable Julie Dean said, "We will always facilitate and support the right to peaceful protest, and we recognise that people may hold strong views."
The BBC reported that policing powers were stepped up on Thursday evening after officers were "subjected to significant aggression" on Wednesday, including a female police officer who was "seriously bitten". Terry Jermy, the Labour MP for South West Norfolk, condemned the violence and said on X that the scenes were "deeply concerning" and that people were "pulled from their homes - a place of safety - and forcibly removed".
Arrests, charges, and measures
As the disorder spread across multiple addresses in Thetford, police said officers were injured while responding to reports of protesters trying to break into a home, with one officer struck by a rock and another bitten. The BBC said Norfolk Police imposed public safety measures requiring people to remove face coverings if asked to do so or face arrest, and it said the measures were put in place from 18:00 BST on Thursday and remain until 07:00 on Friday. Norfolk Police said two further arrests were made on Thursday evening, taking the total number of people arrested to five, and it said one man was arrested on suspicion of racial hatred relating to offences on Wednesday.
Brian Thompson, 68, of Fairfields, Thetford, was charged with possession of an offensive weapon, namely a wooden bat, and was due to appear at Norwich magistrates court on 25 August. The Home Office spokesperson condemned the behaviour, warning that "anyone taking part in this criminal activity will face the full force of the law" as the unrest continued for a third night.