Tensions escalated during a demonstration in Norwich on Wednesday, following the indictment of seven Afghan migrants on charges of child sexual offenses, including rape.
A large crowd assembled at Norwich City Hall for an anti-immigration rally dubbed the ‘Rape Gang Protest Norwich.’ The event saw altercations erupt with opposing demonstrators.
These confrontations echo similar protests that have unfolded nationwide over the past year, such as those in Epping, Essex.
The demonstration, which featured impassioned speeches from local residents and chants disparaging Keir Starmer, occurred shortly after the men were accused of 40 offenses related to an investigation into organized child exploitation.
The allegations involve incidents reportedly occurring between August 2023 and May 2025, targeting two teenage girls in Norwich.
All seven individuals are Afghan asylum seekers; however, they have not been residing in Norfolk’s asylum hotels, and none of the alleged crimes took place there.
Others demonstrators vented their fury at last week’s decision not to jail a gang of teenage travellers who raped girls in Southampton.
Tensions rose throughout the afternoon as several counter-protesters walked past the crowd shouting at demonstrators gathered on the steps outside City Hall.
Clashes broke out at a protest in Norwich on Wednesday after seven migrants from Afghanistan were charged with child sex offences including rape
Hundreds gathered outside Norwich City Hall for the anti-immigration protest, labelled ‘Rape gang protest Norwich’, before scraps took place with counter demonstrators
The scenes mirror similar protests which have taken place across the country in the last year, including Epping in Essex
Those holding St George’s flags were heard shouting ‘scum, scum, scum’ back at counter-protesters, while police officers moved between both sides in an attempt to calm the situation.
One speaker, wearing a ‘Make Britain Great Again’ hat, addressed protesters saying: ‘Patriotism unites, British identity comes first. Please come join us.’
The crowd was adorned with Union Jack flags and placards carrying slogans including ‘Stop Immigration, Start Deporting’ and ‘Unite the Right’.
Police remained at the scene as demonstrators and counter-protesters continued to exchange insults in Norwich city centre before dispersing at around 5.30pm.
One local dad said: ‘We need a message right across the country that British girls are vulnerable. It’s a disgrace. They are being betrayed.
‘They don’t feel safe.’
Patrick Corner, 46, said the demo had increased in numbers after a decision not to jail a gang of travellers.
He said: ‘Girls are not safe.
‘We’re particularly worried about what migrants are doing.
‘We’ve had enough.’
The protest has drawn comparison to those which repeatedly took place outside the Bell Hotel in Epping last year, sparked by the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl and a woman by one of its residents.
Seven Afghan nationals were charged with a total 40 offences after an investigation into child sexual exploitation in Norwich
The men’s ethnicities were described in various ways to police, including as ‘any other white background’, ‘and other mixed background’, and ‘Arab’
The seven Afghan nationals appeared before Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where they spoke only to confirm their names. They were remanded in custody until a plea hearing at Norwich Crown Court on June 19.
Jamil Khalil, 21, of Dumbarton, Scotland, has been charged with seven counts of rape, one of human trafficking and one of conspiracy to commit child sexual abuse.
The six other men, who are all of Norwich, include Ahmadin Ahmadzai, 21, who faces nine counts of rape and Qais Kaker, 20, charged with four counts.
Both face additional charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit child sexual abuse and perverting the course of justice.
Fazal Auryakhel, 20, and Mohammed Farooq Sinwary, 23, are charged with one and two counts of rape respectively.
Ali Ahamad, 21, is charged with rape and three counts of human trafficking, and Sayed Wahid Daviodzai, 20, has been charged with four counts of rape and one of conspiracy to commit child sexual abuse.
Five of the men entered the UK via small boats between March 2021 and October 2022, police have said. Ahmadzai arrived concealed on a lorry in 2020, while Ahamad entered Britain clandestinely via Portsmouth in 2021.
They described their ethnicities in various ways to police, including as ‘any other white background’, ‘and other mixed background’, and ‘Arab’.
Police carried out a major operation last Wednesday, in which they raided six addresses in Norwich and one in Dumbarton and arrested the men.
An eighth man, aged 19, was detained on Friday morning in Ireland. Authorities are now seeking to have him returned to the UK.
Officers began investigating after a young girl made a disclosure in September 2023.
Officers began investigating after a young girl made a disclosure in September 2023
Last week, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Natalie Fleet, said: ‘These are hideous cases and the fact that the suspects arrived through illegal routes only underlines their shocking nature. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.
‘Anyone convicted of these crimes must face the full force of the law, and this government is clear that vile foreign criminals have no place in the UK.
‘The grooming gangs scandal is one of this country’s greatest failures. We will do everything in our power to protect vulnerable girls and not allow victims to be ignored like so many were previously.
‘We thank the police in Norfolk for their extensive work in this investigation, and they have our full support as that continues.’
