Thetford mob who stormed homes of migrants will face 'full force of the law', warns police chief

Published: 12:05, 7 August 2026 | Updated: 12:22, 7 August 2026 Violent anti-immigration protesters in Thetford who stormed buildings being rented to asylum seekers will face the ‘full force of the law’, a chief constable has warned.  Police had to escort terrified migrants from one property in the Norfolk market town on Tuesday night after an angry mob gathered outside three residential addresses. Doors and windows were smashed and one occupant was allegedly removed from a house and had his mobile phone taken. The disorder continued on Wednesday night and last night, resulting in several arrests for offences including inciting racial hatred and possession of an offensive weapon. Officers were also ‘subjected to significant aggression', with two needing hospital treatment after one was hit with a rock and another bitten. A third was spat at. Police powers were increased temporarily from last night to combat the ongoing disorder. Tensions were already high in the area following weeks of protests three miles away at RAF Barnham in Suffolk, after the former military barracks was earmarked by the government to take 1,250 male migrants. Norfolk Police Chief Constable Paul Sanford told the BBC’s Today programme this morning: ‘We did have people protesting in the Thetford area who were targeting addresses they believed were housing asylum seekers and, on a couple of occasions, that required us to escort the residents of those properties away for their safety.’ Norfolk Police have handled three nights of violence in Thetford after angry locals protested about homes being rented to asylum seekers Asked what might have happened if officers had not intervened, he added: ‘I think it’s highly likely that the protesters would have got into the property, they would have created a significant problem, and really threatened the safety of the occupants, and indeed the protesters themselves.’  Mr Sanford went on to say ‘I absolutely refute’ that his officers had been too aggressive. Witnesses and people online have criticised the police response, with claims that a woman in a mobility scooter was pepper-sprayed on Wednesday.  The force has defended its actions as proportionate and appropriate, including the use of Pava spray, which is similar to pepper spray and is used to incapacitate people.  ‘We have people who are exercising their right to protest and, of course, we will support that,’ Mr Sanford said. ‘There are people who live in Thetford who are concerned, understandably concerned, about some of the things that are happening in their town.  ‘However, across three consecutive nights, a group of people have crossed the line as to what is acceptable. We have been appropriately policing those behaviours.    ‘I’ve seen the reports of heavy-handedness. We’ve been firm. We’ve been firm with people who have broken the law.   Norfolk Police Chief Constable Paul Sanford warned those who 'crossed the line' would 'expect the full force of the law' Protesters gather outside a property in a residential road as police try to calm them down ‘If people wander into an active protest and ignore calls from the police to stand back, then there is a high likelihood that they might get caught up in what occurs. But my officers have done a fantastic job.  ‘I’ve had two police officers hospitalised as a result of the incident on Wednesday night.  ‘The people who perpetrated those offences should expect the full force of the law, and I will be pushing for the strongest possible sanction.’  On ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Home Office minister Anna Turley described the scenes in Thetford as ‘horrendous’. She added: ‘Anybody thinking that they can go under the guise of a protest… but then to escalate that into violence, into attacks and intimidation, and particularly attacks on our police and emergency services, is absolutely not acceptable and they will be dealt with in the right way.’ South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy has condemned the 'mob rule and vigilantism' in his constituency. 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 scream 'traitors' at the officers. One local claimed the landlord had told them to expect new tenants but didn't mention they would be asylum seekers. Five asylum seekers had to be evacuated from a house by police on Tuesday night The occupant of a house in Elm Road about a mile away is then understood to have been forced out of his home before 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 that the f****** white man's going to be a minority.' Dramatic mobile phone footage posted online showed an officer standing in front of the property and telling the protesters: 'You have the absolute right to stay here and gather and [exercise] your right to freedom of expression. 'That is your choice, okay. But I need you to stay here and do that peacefully. 'If we start getting people and they're making threats, or getting knocks on the door [that's] when we then come back and that ruins it for everyone. 'So do the things right for you and don't cross the line.' One house had its windows and doors smashed by the mob A woman could be heard loudly accusing the police of 'treason' and others shouted 'shame on you' as they tried to restore calm. Officers attended another residential property in Clover Way on Wednesday night after a large group of people gathered there at about 9pm and tried to gain access. As they intervened, members of the group became 'physically aggressive' towards them, with a male officer struck by a rock and a female officer 'seriously bitten, breaking the skin'. A third officer was also spat at. Riot police were deployed to guard more properties last night, with crowds chanting: 'Get them out, get them out.' Officers threw a ring of steel around one property as dozens of locals gathered just yards away. Demonstrators also hurled eggs. Norfolk Police said two arrests were made on Wednesday night for offences including public order, harassment and possession of an offensive weapon.  Brian Thompson, 68, of Thetford, has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, namely a wooden bat.  Up to 100 people are said to have gathered to protest at the presence of asylum seekers He has been released on bail and is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on August 25. A man aged in his 30s, who was arrested on Wednesday following Tuesday’s incidents on suspicion of a public order offence, has since been released and issued with a conditional caution. Two men were arrested last night, Norfolk Police said.  One was detained 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. A Government spokesperson said: 'The right to protest is fundamental to our democracy and the concerns of communities are central to our immigration reforms.  'However, violence and disorder are never acceptable, and we absolutely condemn the behaviour seen in Thetford, including attacks against frontline police officers.  'We thank policing partners who we continue to work with to ensure the safety of the wider community. Anyone taking part in this criminal activity will face the full force of the law.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.