Third night of turmoil in market town over 'asylum seeker' homes: More arrests over disorder linked to Norfolk anti-immigration protests

By MARTIN ROBINSON, CHIEF REPORTER Published: 07:06, 7 August 2026 | Updated: 07:17, 7 August 2026 A historic market town engulfed by violence after angry residents tried to storm houses believed to be used by asylum seekers has seen a third consecutive night of unrest. Riot police were deployed to guard more properties in Thetford, Norfolk, last night as protests over migrants being housed in a residential street escalated, with crowds chanting: 'Get them out, get them out.' Two men were arrested on Thursday evening, Norfolk Police said, following two nights of disorder in the market town. One was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred in connection with events on Wednesday. The other was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and failing to provide details to police when asked. Police powers were increased on Thursday evening in the wake of the disorder earlier in the week. Last night, officers threw a ring of steel around the property as dozens of locals gathered just yards away. Demonstrators also hurled eggs. The tense atmosphere saw police in full public order gear form a line around the house. Poilce make arrests in Thetford on the third night of protests over asylum seekers being housed in the area This man was taken away in a third consecutive night of unrest. Police lined up to protect the houses locals believe belong to asylum seekers in Thetford Crowds chanted: 'Get them out, get them out.' One man was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred in connection with events on Wednesday. The other was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and failing to provide details to police when asked. Police say they have been bitten and spat at Demonstrators gathered outside the property, where asylum seekers are being accommodated, repeatedly shouting: 'Get them out, get them out.' One local said: 'What they have done is shocking. It's two-tier. We won't stop until they're gone. We don't want them here.' The latest protest follows two previous nights of disorder in the Norfolk town, during which stones and eggs were thrown at the house and a window was smashed. A police officer was also bitten during the unrest, while another was spat at. Frustration spilled out at three properties in Thetford, Norfolk, following weeks of protests at a nearby former military barracks, which has been earmarked to take 1,250 male migrants. First sparked on Tuesday, the angry scenes continued on Wednesday night and into yesterday. Two officers needed hospital treatment and three arrests were made. A Government spokesman said the ‘concerns of communities are central to our immigration reforms’. The chaos on the first night saw five men having to be escorted by police from a property on St John’s Way, prompting the furious protesters to brand the officers ‘traitors’. Damage caused to a house after locals attacked the property this week Crowds of up to 100 people stormed three properties amid fears they were being used to house asylum seekers On Tuesday a group of young men were escorted away from a property by police One local claimed the landlord had told them to expect new tenants but didn’t mention they would be asylum seekers. The occupant of a house in nearby Elm Road is then understood to have been forced out of his home and his phone was stolen. The disorder next spilled over to a residence in Bracken Road, which had its windows and front door smashed in. Up to 100 people became involved in the violence, with video capturing one man shouting: ‘They don’t want the white man anymore. They want us all gone, they wanna swap us. It’s predicted by 2050 the f****** white man’s going to be a minority.’ Officers attended another residential property in Clover Way on Wednesday after a large group of people gathered there at about 9pm and tried to gain access. The group became ‘physically aggressive’ with a male officer struck by a rock and a female officer ‘seriously bitten, breaking the skin’. Assistant Chief Constable Julie Dean said: ‘We will always facilitate and support the right to peaceful protest, and we recognise that people may hold strong views. However, there is no place for violence, intimidation or criminal behaviour.’ The turmoil began at around midday on Tuesday when a group of men were seen moving into the St John’s Way house.  News of the arrival spread and by 7pm people began arriving with numbers swelling to around 60. The crowd tried to force their way in by smashing a window and breaking a fence. Dramatic footage shows an officer standing in front of the property and telling the protesters to do so peacefully. By 10pm, the decision was taken to remove the five men in the property and ten officers surrounded them, some hooded, as they hurried outside and into a police van. A man in his 30s was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of a public order offence. Local Brian Thompson, 68, has been charged with possession of a weapon, a bat. Another man, in his 40s, is in custody. Local MP Terry Jermy said: ‘I utterly condemn this behaviour.’ Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.