Outcry amongst residents after far-right nationalist group Patriotic Alternative post flyers in Diss

Activists from a far-right nationalist group have been posting flyers across Diss, prompting outcry from residents and a local councillor.

Over the past fortnight, residents across the town received flyers through their letterbox from Patriotic Alternative, a Yorkshire-based political party that has been described by some as white nationalist.

The flyer warns that white British people will become a minority in Britain by 2060, and blames immigration on a variety of issues, from falling wages to increased traffic.

Graham Minshull, district councillor for Diss and Roydon, expressed his dismay at his constituency being targeted.

“It’s a shame,” said the Conservative. “I have seen one of the flyers – it’s just unacceptable in this day and age.

“It seems to be targeted in certain areas of the town. Why they are doing it, I don’t know, as we don’t have any elections coming up.

“If they knocked on my door, I don’t think they would go away with a favourable rapport. I would like to sit down and talk to them and see what they are so afraid of.”

A number of flyers are known to have been distributed around Uplands Way and Willbye Avenue.

One resident, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said: “I was in disbelief. I would love to know who these people are.

“They’re not coming out and saying ‘let’s smash the foreigners’, but they are saying our problems are because of them – and they’re not.

“I think they might make certain people feel that they ought to do something about it, and they may not think ‘I will go to my MP and speak to them’.

“You always have to wonder if there may be that one person that chooses to do something unpleasant instead.”

Patriotic Alternative made headlines earlier this month after flying a banner over Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, bearing the message: “British to be minority by 2066”.

On their website, they promise a manifesto to give financial incentives for people of ‘immigrant descent’ to return to their ‘ancestral homelands’.

Another pledge reads that “no immigrant-descended person should ever be allowed to take decisions regarding the ethnic composition of the UK.”

Cllr Minshull added that he does not believe their is an appetite for the group’s far-right politics among people in Diss.

“I can’t see them getting any traction in this area,” he said. “I have yet to come across somebody who has expressed those views to me.

“Diss has never had a history of far-right extremists; we have always been an extremely tolerant community.

“We don’t tolerate that sort of thing in this town.”

Following several reports, police said they would be monitoring the area for any community tensions.

A spokespman for Norfolk Constabulary said: “Officers are aware of leaflets being distributed in the Diss area and continue to monitor any community tensions as a result.

“We would encourage anyone with concerns to contact local officers.”