Men arrested after ‘crowd invades asylum-linked houses’ in Norfolk, as officers bitten and struck with rock
The force say people were attempting to get inside an address and smashed a window, and damaged a fence panel and letter box
Last updated 4 hours ago
Two men have been arrested after a crowd allegedly tried to invade homes thought to be housing asylum seekers and forced out residents while smashing windows.
Officers were also injured in the disorder, two were taken to hospital.
Norfolk Police said officers were called to St John’s Way, Thetford, at 8.12pm on Tuesday following reports that a group of people, who did not live at the address, were “attempting to get inside and smashed a window, and damaged a fence panel and letter box”.
The force added: “The group were shouting and preventing a workman from leaving.
“A resident of the same property reported a group of between 30 and 50 people trying to get into the house.
“Officers attended a second address on Bracken Road where some of the group believed to be present at the previous incidents, smashed the windows of the property.
“A third incident happened on Elm Road where a smaller group entered a property and forced out the resident and stole their mobile phone.”
Two arrests were made last night for offences including public order, harassment, and possession of an offensive weapon. One man aged in his 40s, remains in custody. The second man, aged in his 60s has since been charged.
Brian Thompson, aged 68 and 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 at Norwich Magistrates Court on 25 August 2026.
The Eastern Daily Press reported that the unrest in the town followed fears the properties were being used to house asylum seekers.
Video posted on social media appeared to show five men being escorted from the houses by police as an angry crowd booed and shouted “get out”.
A senior police officer has condemned the violence directed at officers, as two were injured during the disorder.
The force say 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.
Assistant Chief Constable Julie Dean, who is overseeing the police response to the disorder, 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.
“Our role is to keep people safe. We have a duty to protect everyone in our communities, maintain public order and prevent harm. We will not stand by and allow violence to take place, whether that is directed towards members of the public, local residents or police officers carrying out their duties.
“Where criminal offences are committed, we will take robust action. Our focus remains on maintaining public safety and ensuring people can go about their lives without fear of violence or disorder.”
The recently-elected Reform UK police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Norfolk has also condemned the violence.
Colin Sutton, a former Metropolitan Police detective and Reform’s first PCC, said there is “no place for the violence and damage” in the Norfolk town.
“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,” he said.
“It is very concerning to me that individuals seemingly feel it’s appropriate to handle weapons, let alone attack and hurl objects at police officers who were simply fulfilling their duties in protecting everyone from harm.
“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.”