A group of locals who tried to remove one banner say they were forced to flee and take refuge in the Fat Cat pub in West End Street, off Dereham Road, after they got into an altercation with a group of about 15 people.

After going inside, the group continued to shout outside the venue leaving those outside reluctant to leave.

The Fat Cat pub in West End Street(Image: Newsquest)

The incident on Thursday night came amid continuing high tensions in the Dereham Road area since the appearance on Tuesday night of dozens of Union Jacks and St George Crosses.

A group have been fixing them to lampposts about 15ft high using a ladder as part of an unofficial campaign across the UK to fly national flags.

The activity has proved divisive with many welcoming the flags as a patriotic gesture, while others regard them as intimidating and a challenge to the presence of asylum seekers and immigrants.

Police have been called to the area on several occasions this week to deal with confrontations.
At least one man has been arrested for an alleged assault.

There are fears in the area that confrontations could escalate over the weekend, with a planned protest in nearby Bowthorpe at a hotel being used to house asylum seekers.

The group who have been putting up the flags have tried to........

© Norwich Evening News