Overview
- Police say the unrest began with local anger over Home Office plans for RAF Barnham and, on Tuesday night, crowds tried to force entry into several homes thought to house asylum seekers.
- Officers intervened as the protests escalated on Wednesday night and two were taken to hospital after one was struck by a rock and a female officer was seriously bitten while a third was spat at.
- Norfolk Police have made multiple arrests for offences such as public order, harassment and possession of an offensive weapon, and one man has been charged with carrying a wooden bat and released on bail.
- The force defended use of Pava spray as proportionate and secured temporary powers to order people to remove face coverings or leave areas where they may commit anti‑social behaviour.
- Coverage diverges on police handling and protest intent with some locals calling the protests mainly peaceful and others condemning vigilantism; the incidents have drawn political criticism and diverted local policing resources while linked investigations continue.