Dozens of campaigners gathered on Sunday outside a former RAF base in Suffolk, a site the Home Office is considering for housing asylum seekers, following recent anti-immigration disorder in nearby Thetford.
The demonstration at Barnham Camp comes after police were granted additional powers following unrest earlier this week. Norfolk Police arrested two people at the base on Saturday in connection with the Thetford disorder.
Caspar Randles-Mills, 31, of Great Barton, Suffolk, was subsequently charged with a public order offence. Regular peaceful protests have occurred at the site since the Home Office announced its plans in June.
Union and St George’s flags were flown and some demonstrators held placards which read “Barnham says no. Protect our community”, and Reform UK Norfolk county councillor Scott Hussey gave a speech.
Tensions flared in Thetford, Norfolk, this week when people attempted to storm homes linked to asylum seekers and police officers were assaulted in three nights of unrest.
Police in Norfolk said officers were “subjected to significant aggression” in the market town on Wednesday, one was hit with a rock, one was bitten and another spat at.
The force said on Sunday that Saturday night had been “largely peaceful”, and no serious disorder was reported for a second night running.
Increased policing powers will remain in place in Thetford until 4pm on Tuesday, police said, including the power for officers to direct anyone committing, or who may commit, anti-social behaviour to leave the area.
Some of those who protested in the town this week included participants in the regular protests outside the former military site, the Guardian reported.
Police were at the scene of Sunday’s protest, and officers said they attended to “support the lawful right to protest while helping to ensure the safety of everyone involved and the wider public”.
A Suffolk Constabulary spokesperson added: “Policing protests requires us to balance the right of individuals to peacefully express their views with our responsibility to protect local communities, including protesters, residents and road-users.
“Our policing response will continue to be kept under review, informed by the latest available information and ongoing assessments of any potential risks to public safety.
“Previous protests at Ministry of Defence (MoD) Barnham have been peaceful, and we would like to thank all those involved for expressing their views in a lawful and respectful manner. We are confident that this positive approach will continue.”
The Home Office said the site was being assessed but plans would be subject to planning permission and approvals.
The camp would accommodate men aged between 18 and 65 who have applied for asylum.
No asylum seekers are yet housed at the site, which Suffolk Constabulary said is a training site for the Norfolk and Suffolk forces.
Police said some vehicles, such as buses seen on site, were used for training purposes and people on site include police, MoD employees and security staff.
