Norfolk Police arrested two men in their 40s on Thursday evening, bringing total arrests to five amid ongoing disorder in Thetford. The Norfolk market town braced for a third night of unrest linked to anti-immigration protests, prompting authorities to impose strict public safety measures across the area.
According to Norfolk Police, the latest arrests on Thursday evening included one man detained on suspicion of racial hatred regarding offences committed on Wednesday. The force previously reported that a total of five people have been arrested in connection with the unrest.
The Home Office condemned the behaviour, with a spokesperson warning via BBC reporting that anyone taking part in this criminal activity would face the full force of the law. In response to the escalating situation, Norfolk Police deployed significant police resources, bringing in dozens of officers to the market town for a third night.
Public Safety Powers and Police Deployments in Thetford
Norfolk Police implemented emergency public safety measures starting at 18:00 BST on Thursday, with the powers remaining in place until 07:00 on Friday. Under these regulations, officers can require individuals to remove face coverings upon request or face arrest. Police are also authorized to direct anyone committing or suspected of committing anti-social behaviour to leave the area.
Pictures from Thursday night showed a heavy police presence in the residential area of Canterbury Way, where officers removed some people from a property. The unrest follows two previous nights of confrontations. On Wednesday, witnesses reported a crowd of more than 200 people gathered on Clover Way, throwing eggs and rocks at houses and chanting we want them out
.
Police confirmed that members of the crowd became physically aggressive toward officers during Wednesday’s clashes. Assistant chief constable Julie Dean stated that a male officer was struck with a rock and a female officer was seriously bitten, breaking the skin. Two police officers sustained injuries during that second night of disorder.
Earlier Incidents and Property Damage on Tuesday
The unrest began earlier in the week on Tuesday across St John’s Way, Bracken Road, and Elm Road. According to police accounts, properties suffered damage with windows smashed and fences broken as people attempted to break into a residential property.
Protesters had targeted properties they believed were being used to house asylum seekers, including a site on Bracken Road where a large group stormed three properties. In the aftermath of Tuesday’s events, a man in his 30s was arrested on Wednesday afternoon for a public order offence, though he was subsequently released with a conditional caution.
Additional arrests followed the Wednesday unrest. In the early hours of Thursday, police detained two more individuals. One man in his 40s remained in custody, while a 68-year-old man from Thetford was charged with possession of an offensive weapon, specifically a wooden bat.
Political and Community Reactions to the Unrest
Terry Jermy, the Labour MP for South West Norfolk, described the events as deeply concerning. Jermy stated that the ugly scenes in Thetford over the past few days had been difficult to watch and were deeply concerning, adding that mob rule and vigilantism were not acceptable.
Scott Hussey, a Reform councillor for the nearby Brecks division on Norfolk County Council, stated that a peaceful protest initially gathered at the town’s police station on Wednesday night before moving to Clover Way. Hussey observed up to 100 protesters facing roughly 30 police officers on the street, noting that while skirmishes occurred, he did not witness active violence.
Assistant chief constable Julie Dean of Norfolk Police stated that they would not stand by and allow violence to take place, whether that was directed towards members of the public, local residents, or police officers carrying out their duties.
Hussey also criticized the Home Office for opening multiple houses in multiple occupation across Thetford and attempting to expedite an asylum seeker site at Barnham. Meanwhile, the Home Office maintained that community concerns are central to immigration reforms while reiterating that violence remains unacceptable.