Protests have erupted in Thetford, a market town in Norfolk, England, after migrant men were placed in free housing without prior notice to the local residents.
The protests spanned several nights and resulted in property damage, clashes with police and the arrest of five people. The charges included public order offences and suspicion of racial hatred.
The protests began on Tuesday after it was revealed that a property on a family estate near a primary school had been converted into a house of multiple occupancy (“HMO”) for illegal migrants. An HMO is a house occupied by at least three people who are not from the same family or household but share basic facilities.
This coincided with news that the British government intended to use a nearby military base to house 3,750 migrants.
In response to the protests, the police escorted five hooded males out of the property. The police’s response was criticised as heavy-handed, while police officials rejected the characterisation, stating their response was necessary to maintain order. “There were some skirmishes, it was a spirited protest but I didn’t see any violence … We fully support their right to protest. I’d encourage people to protest peacefully and most of what I saw yesterday was peaceful,” said local Reform UK councillor Scott Hussey.....<<<Read More>>>....
