Two men have been arrested after a police officer was bitten and another attacked with a rock during a second night of disorder in a Norfolk town which has seen anti-immigration protests.

Norfolk Police said “significant police resources” were deployed to Thetford on Wednesday night to maintain public safety after a large group of people gathered on Clover Way . Reports had circulated that asylum seekers had been moved into a house in the area by the Home Office.

A spokesperson for the force said: “At about 9.30pm officers responded to reports that people in the group were trying to gain access to a residential property.

“As police intervened, members of the group became physically aggressive towards officers – two were taken to hospital after a male officer was struck with a rock and a female officer was seriously bitten, breaking the skin.

“A third officer was also spat at.”

Prior to this, a large crowd had gathered outside the police station for an anti-immigration protest, which police said was largely peaceful.

Norfolk Police said two arrests were made on Wednesday night for offences including public order, harassment and possession of an offensive weapon.

One man aged in his 40s remains in custody.

Brian Thompson, 68, of Fairfields, Thetford, has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, namely a wooden bat.

He has been released on bail and is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on August 25.

It is the second night of disorder in the town following incidents on Tuesday night where properties were damaged by having windows smashed and fences broken, and people attempted to break into a residential property.

Norfolk county council is lead by Reform UK, and local councillor Scott Hussey said on Facebook that a “group of young male asylum seekers” had been moved into a three-bed terraced house by the Home Office.