Matt Precey

A man in his 60s has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and inciting racial hatred as police investigate how the addresses of properties housing asylum seekers were shared during anti-immigration disorder in Thetford, Norfolk. The houses were targeted over three nights in August, with windows broken and eggs thrown, and two police officers injured. The occupants were removed for safety, while Serco, which operates the accommodation under contract, said it was investigating the disclosure of address information and working with the Home Office and Norfolk Police. Nineteen people have been arrested in connection with the disorder.

Police have arrested a man in his 60s on suspicion of assisting an offender and inciting racial hatred as part of an investigation into how asylum seekers’ addresses were shared during anti-immigration disorder in Thetford, Norfolk. Several properties believed to be used by Serco were targeted over three nights, prompting the removal of occupants for their safety. The suspect was released on bail until 14 October. Nineteen people have been arrested over the disorder, which injured two police officers and involved damage to homes. Serco is investigating how the address information became public and is cooperating with the Home Office and Norfolk Police.

Three nights of sporadic violence and disorder occurred at properties in Thetford believed by protesters to house asylum seekers, resulting in arrests, injuries to two police officers and damage to homes. Residents cited a lack of consultation, fears about safety and concerns that asylum accommodation competes with local housing, although the BBC could not verify some claims about the properties or their occupants. Breckland Council said asylum accommodation arranged by Home Office contractor Serco is separate from council housing, while police and the local MP condemned violence and intimidation. Authorities introduced additional dispersal and face-covering powers as tensions continued, amid wider government plans to move asylum seekers from hotels into basic accommodation, including former military sites.

Two universities, Cambridge and East Anglia, have suspended undergraduate medical placements at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn due to concerns about the educational environment, governance, and training quality. The hospital, rated “requires improvement” by the Care Quality Commission, has faced warnings over safety, medicine management, and dignity standards. Hospital leaders acknowledge shortcomings and commit to working with NHS England, university partners and regulators to improve conditions, with the expectation that placements will resume once educational standards are assured.