Two men were arrested on Thursday in Thetford, Norfolk, following two nights of disorder in which crowds attempted to storm homes linked to asylum seekers and police officers were assaulted.
One man was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred in connection with events on Wednesday, while the other was held on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and failing to provide his details to officers when requested, Norfolk Police confirmed.
Police powers stepped up after aggression
Police powers were increased on Thursday evening after 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 scene at Clover Way that evening, which police described as 'fast-moving and volatile' as tensions mounted and 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. The protests were fuelled by fears 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.
Police defend use of Pava spray
Eyewitnesses and social media users condemned the police response, with reports that a woman in a mobility scooter was pepper-sprayed on Wednesday. The force defended their actions as proportionate and appropriate, including the deployment 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.'
Resident describes 'rowdy' scenes
A resident of Clover Way, who wished to remain anonymous, said that at around 9.30pm on Wednesday 'lots of young boys... came up on bikes and chucked eggs at the house'. The largely seated demonstration began 'peaceful' until additional officers arrived and formed a line, she said. Subsequently, 'it started to get a little bit rowdy' and 'people took a step forward towards the police'.
Nobody attempted to enter the property, she said, noting that 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 added, with officers brandishing batons, making arrests, and instructing people to disperse.
Arrests and charges
Norfolk Police confirmed that two arrests were made on Wednesday night on charges including public order offences, harassment, and possession of an offensive weapon. One man in his 40s remains in police custody.
Brian Thompson, 68, of Fairfields, Thetford, has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, namely a wooden bat. He has been released on bail and is due to appear before Norwich Magistrates' Court on August 25. A man in his 30s, arrested on Wednesday in connection with Tuesday's incidents on suspicion of a public order offence, has since been released and issued with a conditional caution.
