And tensions over the town's NR19 Hotel finally came to a head this week with 250 locals attending a meeting to demand action.

The 20-room hotel, at the top of the Market Place, is used by councils across Norfolk and Suffolk for emergency housing.

Dereham Town Football Club was completely packed (Image: Henry Durand)

Hotel NR19 in Dereham has come under increasing scrutiny in recent months (Image: Supplied)

Among those placed there are recently-released prisoners and locals say there has been a surge in antisocial behaviour in the town.

The meeting, attended by senior officials from Breckland Council and Norfolk Constabulary, saw a succession of people complain about an increase in crime and how they now felt unsafe in the area.

A group of women who work at Spire Solicitors in Church Street, said they now left their office "in a collective" because of their concerns about their personal security.

Female employees at Spire Solicitors in Dereham say they now leave work "in a collective". (Left to right: Jenny Tullis, Jane O’Kane and Julie Brooks). (Image: Henry Durand)

Gillian Pollock (left), who has lived in Dereham for 13 years, said she no longer feels the town is safe (Image: Henry Durand)

Another woman, Gillian Pollock, who has lived in Dereham for 13 years, said she no longer felt safe walking through the town.

Many people said they no longer go into the town centre at night, while businesses said they were suffering.

Locals said groups housed in the hotel gathered outside the venue, drinking, taking drugs and intimidating those who pass by.........

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