Thetford unrest enters third night as police make more arrests

Three nights of anti-immigration unrest have left Thetford facing a major police operation, with further arrests made after protesters targeted properties believed to house asylum seekers and officers were attacked.

Norfolk Police said two more men in their 40s were arrested on Thursday evening, taking the total number of arrests connected with the disorder to five.

One was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated offence relating to incidents on Wednesday, while the other was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and failing to provide his details when requested by police.

The arrests came as dozens of officers were deployed across the Norfolk market town for a third consecutive night.

Police attacked as disorder escalates

The most serious confrontation came on Wednesday, when police said a crowd of more than 200 people gathered in the Clover Way area.

Eggs and rocks were thrown at houses and protesters reportedly shouted, “We want them out.”

Police said members of the crowd became physically aggressive, with one male officer struck by a rock and a female officer seriously bitten, breaking the skin.

Two officers were injured during the unrest.

Assistant Chief Constable Julie Dean said police would take “robust action” against violence while continuing to support the right to peaceful protest.

The Home Office also condemned the disorder, saying that while the right to protest was fundamental to democracy, violence and attacks on police officers were unacceptable.

Homes targeted in asylum-seeker claims

The most disturbing element of the unrest has been the targeting of residential properties.

Crowds attempted to force their way into homes on Tuesday and Wednesday after protesters apparently identified them as properties being used to accommodate asylum seekers.

Windows were smashed, fences damaged and people attempted to break into at least one property.

Norfolk Chief Constable Paul Sanford confirmed that some of the properties were in fact housing asylum seekers, but stressed that protesters had been targeting addresses they believed were being used for that purpose.

On several occasions, police had to escort residents from properties for their own safety.

Officers also removed people from inside a property on Thursday evening.

The incidents have raised fears that innocent residents could become targets simply because of their appearance or because protesters believe they are asylum seekers.

Town left “terrified”

South West Norfolk Labour MP Terry Jermy said the violence had left many residents frightened and warned that Thetford was being dragged backwards after years of efforts to improve its reputation.

He said residents were “terrified” and that minority ethnic residents had contacted him because they feared being wrongly identified as asylum seekers.

Jermy condemned what he described as “mob rule and vigilantism”, insisting that whatever people's views on immigration, residents must be protected from violence and intimidation.

The unrest comes amid continuing controversy over plans to accommodate asylum seekers in the area, including proposals involving the former RAF Barnham site.

Reform councillor Scott Hussey said concerns about immigration accommodation were legitimate and that he supported peaceful protest. He accused the Home Office of creating confusion over asylum accommodation and argued that most of what he witnessed had initially been peaceful.

But the situation has clearly moved beyond peaceful demonstration.

Police powers strengthened

Norfolk Police introduced additional public-safety powers on Thursday evening, including the ability to require people to remove face coverings and to order individuals suspected of committing, or likely to commit, anti-social behaviour to leave the area.

The measures remain in force until Friday morning.

Police have also rejected accusations that officers used excessive force after witnesses claimed a woman on a mobility scooter was affected by PAVA spray.

The force said the spray had been deployed proportionately during active disorder and warned that anyone remaining in an area despite police instructions could be affected by tactics being used to protect public safety.

With further arrests now made, Thetford enters the aftermath of three nights of unrest with the underlying immigration dispute unresolved — but with police making clear that attacks on homes, residents or officers will be treated as criminal acts rather than legitimate protest.

SOURCE

Not really looking like mass uncontrolled military age male muslim immigration is Britains greatest strength atm? Another narrative dying a painful and very public death.

Unvetted migrants being shipped into HMO's' on residential estates' in the house next door to a terrified to go out female pensioner, the anger is boiling and the police have taken the usual side The people have had enough🤔