Woman arrested on suspicion of biting police officer during Thetford disorder
Unrest broke out in the market town this week after residents feared homes on Clover Way were being used to house asylum seekers
A woman's been arrested on suspicion of biting a police officer during disorder in Thetford, Norfolk.
Unrest broke out in the market town this week after residents feared homes on Clover Way were being used to house asylum seekers.
Officers were then “subjected to significant aggression” on Wednesday, with one hit with a rock, one bitten and another spat at.
Two officers were taken to hospital after responding to the scene, which police described as “fast-moving and volatile” with tensions escalating as a crowd moved towards a residential property.
On Tuesday night, windows were smashed, fences broken and people attempted to break into a residential property, police said.
Norfolk Police said two arrests were made on Wednesday night for offences including public order, harassment and possession of an offensive weapon.
Two more people were arrested on Thursday on a third consecutive night of unrest in the market town, with a heavy police presence in Chester Way.
Another arrest has been made today (7 August 2026) in connection with the female officer who was bitten on Wednesday (5 August 2026).
A woman, aged in her 30s, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, common assault and a public order offence.
She remains in custody.
Assistant Chief Constable Julie Dean, who is overseeing the police response to the disorder, said: "We fully support the rights of people to protest peacefully and understand the concerns felt by many within the community. However, over recent nights we have continued to see behaviour that goes far beyond legitimate protest, and we have therefore responded robustly to keep people safe and maintain public order.
“Assaults on police officers carrying out their duties are completely unacceptable. Our officers are working tirelessly to protect the communities they serve, often the same communities they call home, and they deserve to be treated with respect.
“Those who choose to engage in violence, intimidation or criminality should be under no illusion that they will be identified, arrested and brought before the courts. At the heart of this situation are real people and real lives, and I would urge everyone involved to consider the impact their actions are having on the wider community.”
Increased policing powers will remain in place in Thetford this evening (Friday 7 August 2026).
These powers include:
- A Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 which means you could be asked to remove a face covering from 4pm on Friday 7 August 2026 to 6am on Saturday 8 August 2026.
- A Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which means officers can direct anyone committing, or who may commit anti-social behaviour to leave the area from 4pm on Friday 7 August 2026 to 6am on Saturday 8 August 2026.
Anyone who refuses to remove a face covering when required to do so may be arrested.