Arrests and injuries amid anti-immigration disorder

Police Injuries and Arrests Follow Anti-Immigration Unrest in Thetford

Ninoda.com – Two officers sustained injuries during a second consecutive evening of disturbances in the Norfolk market town, where demonstrations against immigration have been taking place. Following a substantial gathering on Clover Way on Wednesday, Norfolk Police announced they had deployed “significant police resources” to ensure community safety.

According to the force, members of the assembled crowd turned physically aggressive toward law enforcement personnel. One male officer was hit by a rock, while a female colleague suffered a serious bite that broke the skin.

Tuesday’s Initial Disturbances

The Wednesday events followed unrest on Tuesday across three locations: St John’s Way, Bracken Road, and Elm Road. Police reported that properties sustained damage including broken windows and fences, while individuals attempted to force entry into a residential building.

Observers noted a gathering exceeding 200 people on Clover Way, where eggs and stones were hurled at houses alongside vocal demands for people to leave. Officers subsequently divided the demonstrators into two separate groups and relocated them from the vicinity.

Arrests and Charges

A man in his thirties was detained on Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of a public order offence related to Tuesday’s events. He was later released after receiving a conditional caution.

During the early hours of Thursday, authorities made two additional arrests stemming from Wednesday’s disturbances. One individual in his forties remains in custody, while a 68-year-old Thetford resident has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon—a wooden bat.

Official Responses

We will not stand by and allow violence to take place, whether that is directed towards members of the public, local residents or police officers carrying out their duties.

Assistant chief constable Julie Dean emphasized the force’s commitment to maintaining order while supporting peaceful demonstration.

We will always facilitate and support the right to peaceful protest, and we recognise that people may hold strong views and feelings about issues. Our role is to keep people safe. We have a duty to protect everyone in our communities, maintain public order and prevent harm.

Labour MP for South West Norfolk, Terry Jermy, described the recent events as “ugly scenes” that were “difficult to watch and are deeply concerning.”

People have been pulled from their homes – a place of safety – and forcibly removed, with reports of members of the public breaking into homes, taking property and smashing windows. This would have been utterly terrifying for the people in these properties and also very worrying for neighbouring residents.

Jermy further stated that regardless of personal immigration views, “mob rule and vigilantism is not acceptable.”

Local Perspectives

Scott Hussey, a Reform councillor representing the Brecks division on Norfolk County Council, described how what began as a “peaceful protest” at the town’s police station on Wednesday evening progressed to Clover Way.

“I counted up to the 30 officers lined up on one side of the street and on the other side maybe up to 100 protesters,” Hussey noted. “There were some skirmishes, it was a spirited protest but I didn’t see any violence.”

Hussey criticized the Home Office for “opening a number of these HMOs across Thetford” and for “trying to rush through the site for asylum seekers at Barnham.” He affirmed support for the right to protest while encouraging peaceful conduct.

Jermy has previously urged the Home Office to resolve “secrecy and confusion” surrounding arrangements to accommodate additional asylum seekers at former military facilities, including RAF Barnham near Thetford.

The BBC has contacted the Home Office requesting comment on the situation.