Arrests in Norfolk town as disorder continues for third night

Policing powers were stepped up in Thetford on Thursday as the Norfolk market town braced itself for further disorder.

Arrests were made on Thursday morning after a female police officer was "seriously bitten" and crowds attempted to storm homes linked to alleged asylum seekers on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

Pictures appeared to show a heavy police presence in the residential area of Canterbury Way on Thursday night, as officers moved to arrest a man at the scene.

A Home Office spokesperson condemned the behaviour, warning that "anyone taking part in this criminal activity will face the full force of the law".

Norfolk Police has imposed public safety measures in the town, including requiring people to remove face coverings if asked to do so or face arrest.

They will also be permitted to direct anyone committing, or who they suspect may commit, anti-social behaviour, to leave the area.

The measures have been put in place from 18:00 BST on Thursday until 07:00 on Friday.

Two police officers were injured in the second night of disorder, with the force confirming that "significant police resources" were deployed as a result.

Witnesses reported a crowd of more than 200 people on Clover Way, with eggs and rocks thrown at houses and chants of "we want them out".

The force said members of the group "became physically aggressive towards officers – a male officer was struck with a rock and a female officer was seriously bitten, breaking the skin."

Assistant chief constable Julie Dean, said: "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."

A spokesperson for the Home Office said: "The right to protest is fundamental to our democracy and the concerns of communities are central to our immigration reforms.

"However violence and disorder are never acceptable, and we absolutely condemn the behaviour seen in Thetford, including attacks against frontline police officers."

The attacks on officers followed unrest on Tuesday in St John's Way, Bracken Road and Elm Road, when properties were damaged with windows smashed and fences broken, and people attempted to break into a residential property, police said.

The Labour MP for South West Norfolk, Terry Jermy, also said the "ugly scenes in Thetford over the past few days have been difficult to watch and are deeply concerning".

A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence on Wednesday afternoon following Tuesday's disorder. He was released and issued with a conditional caution.

In the early hours of Thursday, two further arrests were made following Wednesday's unrest.

One man aged in his 40s remains in custody, and a 68-year-old man from Thetford has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, namely a wooden bat.

ACC Dean promised "robust action" to the disorder, adding: "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. 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."

Witnesses also claimed the police response on Wednesday was "heavy-handed" and a woman on a mobility scooter had been pepper-sprayed.

In response, the police said Pava spray was "deployed proportionately" in response to a person's behaviour in the crowd.

A spokeswoman added: "We understand that concerns have been raised about a woman using a mobility scooter who was affected during the incident.

"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."

Scott Hussey, a Reform councillor for the nearby Brecks division on Norfolk County Council, said a "peaceful protest" had started at the town's police station on Wednesday night before it moved 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," he said.

"There were some skirmishes, it was a spirited protest but I didn't see any violence."

He accused the Home Office of "opening a number of these HMOs across Thetford" and "trying to rush through the site for asylum seekers at Barnham".

"We fully support their right to protest. I'd encourage people to protest peacefully and most of what I saw yesterday was peaceful."

Jermy 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.

In a statement he condemned the unrest, saying: "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.

"I do not know the immigration status of the people placed in these properties or their legal status, but I know they are human beings that must be afforded the same rights that we all expect in this country.

"Whatever our own individuals views on immigration - mob rule and vigilantism is not acceptable."

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