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Norfolk Constabulary has been forced to defend its use of pepper spray during a third consecutive night of violent anti-migrant protests in Thetford after a woman using a mobility scooter was inadvertently caught in the crossfire of police dispersal tactics.
The force confirmed that a female officer was seriously bitten, a male colleague was struck in the head with a rock, and another was spat at during Wednesday night's escalating disorder, which saw up to 200 protesters converge on residential streets where asylum seekers are believed to be housed.
Chief Constable Paul Sanford rejected suggestions of heavy-handedness, telling the BBC's Today programme that his officers had done "a fantastic job" in challenging circumstances. "If people wander into an active protest and ignore calls from the police to stand back, then there is a high likelihood that they might get caught up in what occurs," he stated.
However, local residents have expressed alarm at the policing methods deployed. A Thetford resident, who asked not to be named, told a Daily Dazzling Dawn journalist that the protest began largely peacefully with demonstrators seated outside a property. "Lots of young boys came up on bikes and chucked eggs at a house at about 9.30pm," she said. "It started to get a little bit rowdy when extra officers arrived and formed a line. People took a step forward towards the police, and they started pepper-spraying people, including a lady in a wheelchair."
She added: "There were a few young idiots picking up stones, lobbing them at a police car. Then they brought a riot van down and blocked the front of the house, took out batons, made arrests and told people to leave."
The unrest centres on opposition to Home Office plans to house up to 1,250 lone male asylum seekers at the former RAF Barnham base in nearby Suffolk, just three miles from Thetford. Daily Dazzling Dawn can reveal that at least three of the properties targeted in Thetford this week have been purchased by the same landlord within the past nine months, a development that has intensified local anger and raised questions about the decision-making process behind the housing allocations.
On Thursday evening, police significantly escalated their response, implementing enhanced Section 60 powers allowing officers to demand individuals remove face coverings and to direct anyone suspected of anti-social behaviour to leave the area. A riot van was positioned to block access to one protected property as officers formed lines to contain demonstrators.
Chief Constable Sanford stated it had been "highly likely" protesters would have gained access to properties housing migrants had police not intervened. "They would have created a significant problem and really threatened the safety of the occupants, and indeed the protesters themselves," he warned. "I've had two police officers hospitalised as a result of the incident on Wednesday night. The people who perpetrated those offences should expect the full force of the law, and I will be pushing for the strongest possible sanction."
A Norfolk Constabulary spokesman 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."
Two men in their 40s were arrested on Thursday in connection with the disorder. One was detained on suspicion of inciting racial hatred, while the other faces charges of being drunk and disorderly and failing to provide details to police. This brings the total number of arrests to five across the three nights of unrest.
A 68-year-old man, Brian Thompson, has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon—a wooden stick—and is scheduled to appear at Norwich Magistrates' Court on 25 August.
Earlier this week, police were forced to escort individuals believed to be migrants from their homes as rioters smashed windows and attempted to force entry into multiple properties. One home sustained damage to its letterbox and perimeter fencing. On Tuesday, rioters targeted several properties in the town, smashing windows and attempting to gain entry, forcing police to escort terrified occupants from their homes.
Local Labour MP Terry Jermy, who has previously criticised the use of the former RAF base for asylum accommodation, condemned what he described as "mob rule" and "vigilante behaviour". "People have been dragged from their homes—a place of safety—and forcibly removed," he told journalists. "There are reports of members of the public entering homes, taking belongings and smashing windows."
He also raised concerns that residents of diverse ethnic backgrounds had contacted him "very worried they could be mistaken for asylum seekers".
Assistant Chief Constable Julie Wynn reaffirmed the force's position: "We will always facilitate and support the right to peaceful protest. However, no matter how strongly felt, violence, intimidation or criminality will not be tolerated."
The Conservative Party has criticised the Government's approach to asylum accommodation, arguing that moving thousands of migrants from hotels into shared accommodation and former military barracks has resulted in far fewer checks and safeguards in place to prevent migrants from working illegally and committing crime.
An encampment has been set up outside the gates of the former RAF Barnham base since the announcement in June, with protesters displaying placards carrying messages including "Thetford says no!" and "Don't trust Home Office—it's all lies".
Local authorities are braced for further demonstrations this weekend, with police maintaining a significant presence across Thetford. Community leaders are urging calm while MPs continue to press the Home Office for greater transparency regarding asylum accommodation plans. The landlord's acquisition of multiple properties in the area is expected to face further scrutiny as residents demand answers about the decision-making process behind the housing allocations. Police have confirmed they will continue to deploy enhanced powers throughout the weekend to prevent further disorder.
