Anti-immigration disorder in Thetford, Norfolk, continued for a third night, with a police officer seriously bitten and another struck by a rock. Asylum seekers were moved from their home for their own safety as protesters reportedly tried to storm properties linked to them.
Police defend response
Norfolk Constabulary defended its handling of the protests, which have drawn criticism online and from witnesses claiming officers were heavy-handed. A woman on a mobility scooter was reportedly pepper-sprayed on Wednesday night. The force said its use of Pava spray was "deployed proportionately" in response to a person's behaviour in the crowd.
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."
Officers subjected to aggression
The constabulary said officers faced "significant aggression" over the three nights, with one struck by a rock and another spat at. Two officers were taken to hospital on Tuesday evening.
Chief Constable Paul Sanford "absolutely refutes" claims of officer aggression. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said asylum seekers had to be moved "for their own safety". He explained: "We did have people protesting in the Thetford area who were targeting addresses they believed were housing asylum seekers, and on a couple of occasions, that required us to escort the residents of those properties away for their safety."
Asked what might have happened without police intervention, he said: "I think it's highly likely that the protesters would have got into the property, they would have created a significant problem, and really threatened the safety of the occupants, and indeed the protesters themselves."
Criticism from local resident
A man living near the disorder on Clover Way criticised the police after Wednesday's protests, claiming the woman on the scooter was pepper-sprayed. He told the Press Association: "That's disgusting when we've got police going round like that. They're grabbing you," he added. "I did tell the officer 'Don't do it as I will have you done for assault'. When it was a few coppers it was fine, but when they ganged up it got heavy-handed."
Arrests and charges
Two men were arrested on Thursday – one on suspicion of inciting racial hatred related to Wednesday's events, and another on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and failing to provide details to police. 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 Fairfields, Thetford, has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, namely a wooden bat. He was released on bail and is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates' Court on August 25. A man in his 30s arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of a public order offence has been released with a conditional caution.
