Female cop ‘seriously bitten’, windows smashed & 2 arrested after crowd of protesters ‘try to break into migrant homes’

TWO people have been arrested and a cop has allegedly been bitten after a protest descended into chaos when a crowd reportedly tried to break into migrant homes. Police were called to Thetford, Norfolk, after receiving reports that a group of people were trying to gain access to a property last night. A crowd gathered after a group of men were allegedly moved into the town Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk People are reported to have tried to force their way into homes Credit: Unknown As officers arrived on the scene and tried to intervene, a male cop is reported to have been hit with a rock. A female officer was also injured when she was “seriously bitten”, breaking the skin, police said. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Both officers have been taken to hospital to receive treatment for their wounds with cops adding that a third officer was allegedly spat at. Two men were arrested on suspicion of public order offences, harassment and possession of an offensive weapon. Two police officers were injured in the disorder Credit: Unknown Police confirmed they had arrested two people amid the chaos Credit: Unknown A man in his 40s remains in custody while 68-year-old Brian Thompson has subsequently been charged with possession of an offensive weapon. Thompson was bailed to appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on August 25. A man aged in his 30s, who was arrested yesterday following Tuesday’s incidents, on suspicion of a public order offence, has since been released and issued with a conditional caution. Norfolk Police said the incidents followed a “largely peaceful” anti-immigration protest outside Thetford police station yesterday evening. Most read in The Sun It comes after a night of disorder in the same town on Tuesday saw windows smashed and fences broken when crowds of people allegedly attempted to break into properties in three different roads. Thetford lies just three miles away from RAF Barnham, one of the military sites being considered to house asylum seekers. Protests outside the barracks have been continuing for weeks after it was revealed some 1,250 migrants may be housed there. The chaos erupted on Tuesday amid fears the town was being used to house asylum seekers after five men were seen moving into a home on St John’s Way in Thetford. People began to arrive on the estate shortly after, and at around 7pm a crowd of 60 or more had gathered. Police attended the dramatic scene a short while later and drones were launched when the mob are alleged to have tried to force their way into a migrant home. On Tuesday evening men were evacuated from the properties by police Credit: Unknown It marks the second night of chaos in the market town Credit: Unknown A police officer was hit with a rock while trying to disperse the crowd Credit: Unknown Thetford residents gathered in force at a protest that turned violent Credit: Unknown The decision was eventually made to remove the men from the house and they were escorted to a police van as the gathered crowd hurled insults at them and the officers. Video shared to social media appears to show five men being escorted from a property in the town. People could be heard branding the cops “traitors” and shouting at the men to “get out.” The gathered mob then moved on to another home that was reportedly being prepared for migrants to move into. Despite it being empty, the crowd allegedly smashed a window and damaged the door of the house before police arrived to move them on. A third incident reportedly saw a man pulled from a property and his phone allegedly stolen from him. Norfolk Police 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 and feelings about issues. “However, no matter how strongly those views are held, there is no place for violence, intimidation or criminal behaviour. “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. “Where criminal offences are committed, we will take robust action. Our focus remains on maintaining public safety and ensuring people can go about their lives without fear of violence or disorder.” Terry Jermy, MP for South West Norfolk, said the “ugly scenes in Thetford over the past few days have been difficult to watch and are deeply concerning”. In a statement, the Labour politician added: “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. “Following these incidents, many local residents from diverse backgrounds have been in touch with my office sharing fears for their safety. “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.” A government spokesperson said: “The concerns of communities are central to our immigration reforms. “That’s why we are working with local authorities and others to make the system fairer by housing asylum seekers in basic accommodation, including ex-military sites. Five military sites are either in use or being explored. “The population of asylum seekers in hotels has fallen by 35 per cent in the last year and by 63 per cent from the peak of 56,000 in 2023. “Overall asylum costs have already fallen by nearly £1billion since the general election.”