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

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

Police have condemned the violence directed at officers who had responded at about 9.30pm last night to reports that a group of people in a residential road in Thetford were trying to get into a house.

People inside were dragged from their homes and some of the properties were vandalised, the local MP said.

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

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.

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."

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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.

"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."

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