Further arrests have been made in a police crackdown on disorder in Thetford in the wake of a series of protests over the housing of asylum seekers.
An increased police presence has continued in the town today following disorder which began on Tuesday when crowds of up to 100 people targeted properties amid concerns they were being used to house asylum seekers.
On Wednesday, a male police officer was struck by a rock while a female officer suffered a serious bite wound that broke the skin and a third officer was spat at.
Police have been responding to the disorder in Thetford over the last few nights. Picture: Norfolk Police
Arrests have been made over the week.
A Norfolk Police spokesperson said last night remained largely peaceful, without any serious disorder reported for a second night running.
However, increased policing powers will continue to be in place in Thetford for the next 48 hours, with officers able to order anyone committing, or who may commit anti-social behaviour, to leave the area from 4pm today to 4pm on Tuesday.
Police powers will come into effect in the area in Thetford designated on the map above from today to 4pm on Tuesday
Yesterday, at around 11pm police received reports of anti-social behaviour in Elm Road.
The area was searched and no-one was found.
A number of traffic stops were made throughout the night with one man arrested after officers stopped him on an e-scooter.
He was taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre (PIC) where he was questioned on suspicion of possession of cannabis, driving without insurance and failing to provide a breath test.
Thomas Brown, 36, of Durham Way Thetford, was charged and remanded in custody to appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
Two further people were arrested at RAF Barnham last night in relation to disorder in Thetford earlier in the week.
RAF Barnham could be used by the Home Office to house asylum seekers.
A woman in her 40s was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and a traffic offence in Norwich Road on Tuesday.
She was taken to Wymondham PIC for questioning and given an adult conditional caution for the traffic offence and released without charge in relation to the public order offence.
A man in his 30s was also arrested at RAF Barham last night on suspicion of a public order offence in Clover Way on Wednesday night and taken to Wymondham PIC for questioning.
Caspar Randles-Mills, age 31, of Conyers Green, Great Barton, has been charged and bailed to appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 13.
Officers also issued two Section 35 notices, which allows them to order someone to leave an area.
It follows further police action in response to the disorder over the week.
The protests in Thetford. Picture: Scott Hussey
On Friday night to Saturday morning, a window was damaged at a property in Elm Road during the early hours and three men were arrested for a range of offences.
A man in his 20s was arrested for breaching a Section 35 dispersal order issued on Thursday, while another man of the same age was arrested on suspicion of drug driving.
Both were taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre and have since been released under investigation.
A third man, in his 40s, was arrested for breach of the peace and later released.
A man in his 30s was arrested on Wednesday in connection with incidents on Tuesday on suspicion of a public order offence. He has since been released and issued with a conditional caution.
A second man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly. He has been released and issued with a conditional caution.
Another arrest was made on Friday in connection with a female officer who was bitten on Wednesday.
A woman in her 30s was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, common assault and a public order offence.
A man in his 30s, who was previously arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and harassment in connection with incidents on Tuesday, was released on conditional bail.