Thetford residents on edge after 'mob rule' over asylum plans

A palpable sense of unease has settled over Thetford, a market town in Norfolk, following several nights of protests and disorder surrounding the arrival of asylum seekers. Smashed windows and scattered eggshells serve as stark reminders of the unrest that has gripped the community.

“

The main concern is safety, the proximity of children and that people just have not been consulted about this.

Local residents voiced significant concerns about safety, particularly regarding the proximity of children to the properties believed to be housing asylum seekers. "Thetford is a small town where people know each other, but if you are putting young men who people know nothing about into an area, sometimes in the dark of night, then it will be a cause of concern," said Jenny Hollis, a former councilor, highlighting anxieties about the unknown individuals being housed in their community.

Police reported that officers faced violence, with one male officer being hit by a brick and a female officer sustaining a serious bite. The disorder also included smashed windows and attempts to force entry into a residential property. In response to the unrest, asylum seekers were removed from the properties for their safety. The local MP described the events as having "put Thetford back decades."

“

Thetford is a small town where people know each other, but if you are putting young men who people know nothing about into an area, sometimes in the dark of night, then it will be a cause of concern.

Amidst the chaos, there is also deep concern about the potential for racism and the exploitation of tensions by far-right groups. A woman, who moved to Thetford over a decade ago, shared her distress at being verbally abused, stating, "last week was the first time that my partner was shouted at by someone who derided him as a ‘migrant.’" The situation highlights the delicate balance between community concerns and the need to uphold the safety and dignity of asylum seekers, with fears that organized anger directed at Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) could escalate.

“

I have lived here for more than a decade and have come to call it home. The people are lovely, but last week was the first time that my partner was shouted at by someone who derided him as a ‘migrant.’