Two men have been arrested after a female police officer was seriously bitten and crowds attempted to storm homes linked to asylum seekers during a second night of disorder in Thetford, Norfolk.
Two police officers were taken to hospital after the incident on Wednesday night, following anti-immigration protests in the market town.
Second night of disorder
It was the second night of unrest after Tuesday's incidents, where properties had windows smashed and fences broken, and people attempted to break into a residential property, police said.
Video on social media appeared to show five men being escorted from a property by police as an angry crowd booed and shouted comments opposing asylum seekers being housed in the area.
Norfolk Police said significant resources were deployed to Thetford on Wednesday night after a large group gathered on Clover Way.
Police injured
A spokesperson said: "At about 9.30pm, officers responded to reports that people in the group were trying to gain access to a residential property.
"As police intervened, members of the group became physically aggressive towards officers – two were taken to hospital after a male officer was struck with a rock and a female officer was seriously bitten, breaking the skin.
"A third officer was also spat at."
Earlier, a large crowd had gathered outside the police station for an anti-immigration protest, which police said was largely peaceful.
Local MP reacts
The town's MP, Terry Jermy, said the "ugly scenes in Thetford over the past few days have been difficult to watch and are deeply concerning".
Mr 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.
He said: "I am concerned that these latest incidents weaken our legitimate concerns about the Home Office's proposals and further divert local police resources away from dealing with other local policing priorities."
Arrests and charges
Norfolk Police said 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.
Brian Thompson, 68, of 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 at Norwich Magistrates' Court on August 25.
Police also detailed Tuesday's incidents, including a group of between 30 and 50 people trying to get into a house on St John's Way, and windows smashed at properties on Bracken Road and Elm Road, where a resident was forced out and had their mobile phone stolen.
A man in his 30s arrested on Wednesday following Tuesday's incidents has been released with a conditional caution.
Police and PCC condemn violence
Assistant Chief Constable Julie Dean said: "We will always facilitate and support the right to peaceful protest, and we recognise that people may hold strong views and feelings about issues.
"However, no matter how strongly those views are held, there is no place for violence, intimidation or criminal behaviour."
Reform UK police and crime commissioner for Norfolk, Colin Sutton, said: "Although I understand the concerns that residents have, and their right to protest peacefully, there is no place for the violence and damage we have seen in Thetford over the last couple of days.
"Those who resort to violence will be held to account in accordance with the law, and I wish the officers who were seriously harmed whilst on duty a very speedy recovery."
Mr Jermy added: "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 utterly condemn this behaviour, and I know many Thetford residents share my disgust and concern.
"Whatever our own individual views on immigration, mob rule and vigilantism are not acceptable."
