A “RACIST pogrom” in Thetford has seen thugs storm homes they suspect of housing refugees and attack police, an anti-racist group warned on Friday.

Police bracing for further violence have warned that those taking part in the disorder will face “the full force of the law,” with two more people arrested on Thursday on a third consecutive night of unrest in the Norfolk market town. 

People have attempted to storm homes linked to asylum-seekers following proposals to convert a former military base just over the border in Suffolk, RAF Barnham, into asylum-seeker accommodation for up to 3,750 people.

Officers were “subjected to significant aggression” on Wednesday, with one hit with a rock, one bitten and another spat at.

Two officers were taken to hospital.

Michael Bradley, of Stand up to Racism, told the Star: “The violence in Thetford amounts to a racist pogrom. 

“A violent crowd has attacked homes and forced those they think to be asylum-seekers out of the area.

“This is the fruit of years of scapegoating and racism, by mainstream politicians and the media – stirred up and promoted by the far right.”

Police powers were increased on Thursday evening when windows were smashed, fences broken and people attempted to break into a residential property.

Norfolk Police Chief Constable Paul Sanford said some asylum-seekers had to be escorted from homes.

Asked what might have happened if officers had not intervened, he told the BBC: “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.”

Amid claims that officers had been too aggressive, he said: “Across three consecutive nights, a group of people have crossed the line as to what is acceptable. We have been appropriately policing those behaviours.

“The people who perpetrated those offences should expect the full force of the law, and I will be pushing for the strongest possible sanction.”

A government spokesperson said the right to protest is fundamental, but “violence and disorder are never acceptable, and we absolutely condemn the behaviour seen in Thetford, including attacks against front-line police officers. 

“Anyone taking part in this criminal activity will face the full force of the law.”

Mr Bradley said the proposal for the RAF base to house refugees has led to Reform and Restore Britain, as well as fascist groups like Britain First and Patriotic Alternative, agitating in the area.

He said: “These crowds are acting out the words of the far right from [Reform leader Nigel] Farage and [Restore Britain leader Rupert] Lowe to [far-right figure Tommy] Robinson and [billionaire Elon] Musk. 

“Just like in Belfast, Glasgow and Southampton earlier this summer, we are seeing racist violence – with the far right at its heart – on our streets. 

“We need a complete break with the politics of scapegoating that is legitimising and giving confidence to the people carrying out these actions. 

“That means a real break with the politics of [former PM Keir] Starmer and [Home Secretary Shabana] Mahmood, who continued that scapegoating and a fight to build real unity in our communities and workplaces.”

The Labour MP for South West Norfolk, Terry Jermy, said the unrest had “put Thetford back decades” after years of trying to improve the town’s reputation. 

He told the BBC it had been “terrifying for many Thetford residents,” particularly people from minority ethnic communities who feared being misidentified as an asylum-seeker and attacked, and urged fellow politicians to call out the violent protests and assaults on police officers.