The short version
- Police intervened to protect asylum seekers from mobs attempting forced entry into properties in Thetford.
- Three officers sustained injuries, including one struck by a rock and another bitten, during the disturbances.
- Authorities have imposed public safety measures, including face-covering removal orders, to prevent further escalation.
Two nights of violent unrest in Thetford, Norfolk, have resulted in arrests and injuries after mobs targeted individuals believed to be asylum seekers. The disturbances were triggered by the online circulation of a list identifying properties where landlords hold contracts with a government contractor to house migrants. More than one hundred people participated in the protests, which escalated from demonstrations into attempts to breach private residences.
Law enforcement officers faced direct physical aggression while attempting to secure safety for residents. On Wednesday, police reported that three officers were injured while responding to reports of protesters trying to force entry into a home in the northern part of the town. One officer was struck by a rock, another suffered a bite injury, and a third was spat at. All three were transported to a hospital for treatment.
The violence began on Tuesday night when officers responded to calls regarding thirty to fifty individuals attempting to enter a house in western Thetford. Video footage from the scene shows dozens of protesters jeering and shouting abuse at both police and the men they were protecting. Shouts captured in the recordings included phrases such as “refugees not welcome” and claims that local residents were being replaced.
During this initial incident, officers successfully escorted five men to safety after protesters smashed a window and damaged fencing and a letterbox. Later that same evening, police responded to reports of threats at two additional homes in the southern part of the town. At one location, windows were broken, while at another, a resident was forced out of their home and had their mobile phone stolen by a small group that gained entry.
Legal consequences are now unfolding for those involved in the disorder. One man in his forties remains in custody on suspicion of public order offenses. A second individual, Brian Thompson, aged sixty-eight, has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, specifically a wooden bat. He is scheduled to appear at Norwich magistrates court on August twenty-fifth. Another man in his thirties, arrested regarding Tuesday’s events, was released and issued a conditional caution.
Local political figures have condemned the actions of the mobs. Terry Jermy, the Labour Member of Parliament for the area, described the events as “mob rule” and vigilantism. He noted that while he recognized many protesters as locals, tensions appeared to be exacerbated by outside forces. Jermy highlighted concerns from constituents of mixed ethnicity who fear being misidentified as asylum seekers and facing similar harassment.
Jermy also pointed out that the protests focused on a specific list of houses of multiple occupation managed by Serco, rather than all known properties housing migrants. He warned that this targeted approach creates potential for further escalation, as other locations remain unprotested but vulnerable. He emphasized that regardless of individual views on immigration, violence and intimidation are unacceptable.
In response to the escalating situation, Norfolk police have enhanced their presence and imposed new public safety measures in Thetford. These measures, effective from six p.m. on Thursday until seven a.m. Friday, include requirements for individuals to remove face coverings if asked by officers. Police also have authority to direct anyone suspected of antisocial behavior to leave the area. Refusal to comply with these orders can result in arrest.
Assistant Chief Constable Julie Dean, who is overseeing the police response, stated that while peaceful protest is supported, there is no tolerance for violence or criminal behavior. She affirmed that officers will not stand by while violence targets members of the public, local residents, or police personnel carrying out their duties. The force aims to balance civil liberties with the imperative to maintain public order and safety.
The incident underscores the heightened tensions surrounding government plans to house up to one thousand asylum seekers in former military barracks near RAF Barnham. While Jermy has previously criticized these housing plans, he distinguished between political opposition and the criminal acts witnessed in Thetford. The community now faces the challenge of de-escalating fears while authorities work to prevent further incidents.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Two men arrested after Norfolk police injured during unrest over asylum plans
