More arrests have been made in Thetford as disorder linked to anti-immigration protests continued for a third night in the Norfolk market town.
A further two men in their 40s were arrested on Thursday evening, Norfolk Police said, taking the total number of people arrested in relation to the disorder to five.
One of the pair was arrested on suspicion of racial hatred, relating to offences on Wednesday, the force said. The other man was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and failing to give his details to police when asked.
Policing powers were stepped up in Thetford on Thursday evening following the disorder earlier in the week.
It came after police officers were “subjected to significant aggression” on Wednesday, including a female police officer who was “seriously bitten”.
Crowds also attempted to storm homes linked to alleged asylum seekers on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
Police removed some people from inside a property on Thursday evening.
When responding to claims the evacuated homes were housing asylum seekers, Norfolk’s chief constable Paul Sanford told the BBC: “On some of the occasions that absolutely was the case.
“We did have people protesting in the Thetford area who were targeting addresses they believed housed asylum seekers and on a couple of occasions that required us to escort the residents of those properties away for their safety.”
Amid the disorder, pictures appeared to show a heavy police presence in the residential area of Canterbury Way on Thursday night.
A Home Office spokesperson condemned the behaviour, warning that “anyone taking part in this criminal activity will face the full force of the law”.
Norfolk Police has imposed public safety measures in the town, including requiring people to remove face coverings if asked to do so or face arrest.
They will also be permitted to direct anyone committing, or who they suspect may commit, anti-social behaviour, to leave the area.
The measures were put in place from 18:00 BST on Thursday and remain until 07:00 on Friday.
Sanford refuted any suggestions of excessive force by officers.
Source:
www.bbc.co.uk
