Two police officers were injured after a second night of disorder in Thetford, Norfolk, where anti-immigration protests targeting properties believed to house asylum seekers have been taking place. By Thursday, asylum seekers had been removed from properties in the town for their own safety, and police said the unrest continued into a third night, with the total number of arrests reaching six, according to a national broadcaster's report.
Norfolk Police said the unrest on Wednesday required significant resources to maintain public safety after a large group gathered on Clover Way. Witnesses described hundreds of people converging on the street, which is normally quiet, after word spread that the address was housing asylum seekers. One neighbour estimated at least 200 protesters were present, many of them youths wearing hoodies, and said a window of the property was smashed while parts of its front were pelted with eggs.
The force said members of the group became physically aggressive towards officers, with a male officer struck by a rock and a female officer seriously bitten, breaking the skin. Both officers were taken to hospital. Assistant chief constable Julie Dean said there had been a clear response to the violence.
“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.”
Police said the scenes followed unrest on Tuesday in St John's Way, Bracken Road and Elm Road, when properties were damaged, windows smashed and fences broken, and people attempted to break into a residential property. At St John's Way, police said a group of between 30 and 50 people tried to get into a house, smashing a window and damaging a fence panel and letterbox, while a smaller group at Elm Road forced out a resident and stole their mobile phone.
What was driving the unrest?
Protesters were targeting a list of houses believed to be used by Serco, the Home Office contractor providing asylum housing, according to a separate report. The disorder is understood to have followed the online circulation of a list of properties whose landlords hold contracts with the government contractor to provide homes for asylum seekers, according to an earlier report on the disorder.
Serco said it could not comment on the number or locations of asylum seekers in Thetford "for safety reasons", adding that it had been working closely with the Home Office and police to ensure appropriate safeguarding measures were in place and under constant review. The company said it consulted with councils, which were given the opportunity to assess whether an address was suitable.
Locals also pointed to long-running frustration over separate government plans to house asylum seekers at RAF Barnham, a former air base near Thetford. Residents told reporters they felt there had been no consultation about placing migrants at the base or in the town itself. The government said the base plans were at an early stage and there would be engagement with the local community should they proceed. As previously reported, local councillors have unanimously opposed plans to house up to 1,250 asylum seekers at RAF Barnham, citing inadequate infrastructure, and residents have described rising fear and tension after earlier nights of disorder.
What have residents said?
Accounts from residents varied. Ray Thompson, who lives opposite one of the targeted properties, described seeing "youngsters standing there with hoods on and covering their faces" and said the local community felt frightened. Shannon McCubbin, who lives on the nearby St John's Way estate, said she saw "a group of residents and a community that has come together," adding: "We made a stand and we made our voices heard for once." Debbie Ives, another nearby resident, said asylum seekers were "being housed and given everything they need, yet we've got single women with children sofa-surfing."
Chelsea Goodwin, who lives opposite a targeted house on St John's Way, said her objection was that "you don't know who they are," adding: "I don't feel safe having undocumented illegal immigrants here." One neighbour near Clover Way, who did not wish to be named, said: "I don't feel safe in this town any more."
Labour MP for South West Norfolk Terry Jermy said the events in the market town had been distressing.
“The ugly scenes in Thetford over the past few days have been difficult to watch and are deeply concerning”
Jermy said many local residents from diverse backgrounds had contacted his office to share fears for their safety, and said: "I am proud to be British and my British values compel me to respect the rule of law and due process."
On Wednesday, two arrests were also made for offences linked to Tuesday night, including public order, harassment and possession of an offensive weapon. One man in his 40s remains in custody, and a 68-year-old man from Thetford has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, namely a wooden bat. He is due to appear in court on 25 August, according to an international report on the case.
The unrest came after a large group stormed three properties, including one on Bracken Road, amid fears they were being used to house asylum seekers.
How has policing responded?
ACC Dean said police would take robust action over the disorder while continuing to support lawful demonstrations.
“We will always facilitate and support the right to peaceful protest, and we recognise that people may hold strong views and feelings about issues.
“Our role is to keep people safe. We have a duty to protect everyone in our communities, maintain public order and prevent harm. 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.”
Andy Symonds, chair of the Norfolk Police Federation, said the atmosphere on Friday night had been "much calmer," although "a number of people" had still been dispersed. Police issued 12 dispersal orders under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, with extra policing powers extended into Friday night, according to a national broadcaster's report. "We are on watch for tonight, it's the weekend. We will be dispersing people from the area," Symonds said.
Jermy has previously called on the Home Office to end secrecy and confusion over plans to house more asylum seekers in former military barracks, including RAF Barnham near Thetford.
In a statement, he condemned the disorder and described the impact on those involved and nearby residents.
“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 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 individuals views on immigration — mob rule and vigilantism is not acceptable.”
What has the government said?
A government spokesperson said the concerns of communities were central to its immigration reforms, adding that it was working with local authorities to exit asylum hotels and house asylum seekers in "basic accommodation," including ex-military sites, five of which are either in use or being explored. The spokesperson said the population of asylum seekers in hotels had fallen by 35% in the last year and by 63% from a peak of 56,000 in 2023, and that overall asylum costs had fallen by nearly £1bn since the general election.
As of March 2026, there were 40 asylum seekers living in Breckland, the district containing Thetford — less than half the average for a UK council housing asylum seekers in non-hotel accommodation, when calculated as a share of population. Breckland Council said there were currently 740 people on its social housing waiting list, and stressed that accommodation for asylum seekers, arranged separately by a Home Office contractor, does not affect the availability of homes for those on the council's housing register.
What happens next?
The 68-year-old Thetford man charged with possession of an offensive weapon is due to appear in court on 25 August, according to an international report on the case. Norfolk Police have indicated that extra dispersal powers and a heightened police presence will continue into the weekend as officers remain on watch for further disorder.
The Home Office has been contacted for comment.
