Female police officer 'seriously bitten' during anti-migrant violence

Two people have been arrested after a second night of violence in Norfolk saw a female police officer "seriously bitten" and another hit with a rock.

Police condemned the attacks directed at officers who responded at about 9.30pm on Wednesday night after a group of demonstrators in a residential road in Thetford were trying to get into a house.

Some people inside were dragged from their homes and properties were vandalised, the local MP said.

The unrest in the town reportedly followed rumours the properties were being used to house asylum seekers.

One resident of the property claimed a group of between 30 and 50 people were trying to get into the house, while others were shouting and stopping a workman from leaving.

Another incident nearby saw a smaller group enter a property and force out the resident and steal their mobile phone.

Two men were arrested on Wednesday night for offences including public order, harassment and possession of an offensive weapon.

One man in his 40s is still in custody, while the second man, in his 60s, has since been charged.

A man in his 30s, who was arrested on Wednesday following Tuesday's incidents, on suspicion of a public order offence, has since been released and issued with a conditional caution.

Before the disorder, a large crowd gathered outside a police station for an anti-immigration protest, which was largely peaceful, police said.

It is the second night of disorder in the town following incidents on Tuesday night where properties were damaged by having windows smashed and fences broken, and people attempted to break into a home, police said.

Norfolk Police said officers were called following reports 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".

Assistant Chief Constable Julie Dean, who is overseeing the police response, said: "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."

She added that while police would "always facilitate and support the right to peaceful protest...there is no place for violence, intimidation or criminal behaviour".

The two arrests follow that of a man aged in his 30s on Wednesday, over incidents on Tuesday, on suspicion of a public order offence - he has since been released and issued with a conditional caution.

MP for South West Norfolk, Terry Jermy, said in a statement on X: "The ugly scenes in Thetford over the past few days have been difficult to watch and deeply concerning.

"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."

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He added: "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.

"I do not know the immigration status of the people placed in these properties or their legal status, but I know they are human beings that must be afforded the same rights that we all expect in this country.

"Whatever our own individual views on immigration - mob rule and vigilantism is not acceptable."

The recently-elected Reform UK police and crime commissioner for Norfolk has condemned violence during anti-immigration protests in Thetford in recent days.

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 after two men were arrested.

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