Two men have been arrested in Thetford, Norfolk, following two nights of unrest in which people allegedly attempted to storm properties linked to asylum seekers and police officers were assaulted. Norfolk Police confirmed the arrests on Thursday.
Arrests and Charges
One man was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred in connection with events on Wednesday. The other was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and failing to provide his details to officers when requested.
Additionally, a Thetford man has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, namely a wooden bat. He has been released on bail and is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates' Court on 25th August. A man in his 30s, arrested on Wednesday following Tuesday's incidents on suspicion of a public order offence, has been released with a conditional caution.
Police Assaults and Response
Police powers were bolstered on Thursday evening in the aftermath of the earlier disorder. Officers were "subjected to significant aggression" on Wednesday, with one struck by a rock, one bitten, and another spat at. Two officers were taken to hospital after responding to the incident at Clover Way that evening, which police described as "fast-moving and volatile" with tensions escalating as a crowd advanced towards a residential property.
On Tuesday night, windows were smashed, fences broken, and attempts were made to force entry into a residential property, police confirmed. The protesters' efforts were fuelled by concerns that the properties were being used to house asylum seekers. Video footage on social media appeared to show police escorting asylum seekers away from the area.
Community Concerns and Police Defense
Witnesses and online commentators criticised the police response, with reports that a woman on a mobility scooter was pepper-sprayed on Wednesday. The force defended their actions as proportionate, including the use of Pava spray, a handheld incapacitating substance similar to pepper spray. A police spokeswoman said: "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."
A resident of Clover Way, who requested anonymity, said that at approximately 9.30pm on Wednesday "lots of young boys... came up on bikes and chucked eggs at the house". The demonstration began as "peaceful" until additional officers arrived and formed a line. Then "it started to get a little bit rowdy" and "people took a step forward towards the police". She said nobody attempted to enter the property, but police "started pepper-spraying people", including "a lady in a wheelchair". There were "a few young idiots picking up stones, lobbing them at a police car". "They brought a riot van down and blocked the front of the house," she stated, adding that officers retrieved batons, conducted arrests, and instructed people to disperse.
Norfolk Police confirmed two arrests were made on Wednesday night for offences including public order, harassment, and possession of an offensive weapon. One man in his 40s remains in custody.
