A group wearing Nazi SS uniforms clash with angry locals at a World War II-themed festival in the city of Norfolk as crowds turn on them over their “deeply offensive” clothing

Organizers of a popular 1940s festival are facing calls to ban Nazi uniforms after ugly clashes broke out between locals and a group of men wearing “deeply offensive” SS costumes with swastikas.

The men were confronted by crowds on the main street of Sheringham in Norfolk at the weekend during the resort’s annual World War II-themed festival, where people dress up and watch aircraft from the period fly overhead.

The group of around ten to fifteen people then had to be escorted out of the area by the police on the “1940s weekend” in order to prevent the unrest from escalating.

The annual event attracted up to 25,000 people over both days, many of them wearing period clothing. Photos and videos on the Internet showed street dancing and family celebrations.

But the popular celebrations were marred when the group dressed in Nazi-era German uniforms gathered outside a local pub and marched “in unison” through the cheerful crowd.

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The men were confronted by crowds during the resort’s annual Second World War-themed festival on Sheringham High Street in Norfolk

The annual event attracted up to 25,000 people over both days, many of them wearing period clothing. Photos and videos on the Internet showed street dancing and family celebrations

A spokesman for the festival organizers claimed the incident was a “misunderstanding”.

Some of the uniforms bore SS symbols on the collar, representing Hitler’s infamous death squad, as well as badges with the “Death’s Head” symbol and swastikas.

Their presence angered many locals as onlookers shouted at them and told them they were not welcome.

Event leaders intervened and asked the men to leave before police also intervened to keep the group away from the angry crowd.

Witnesses said the group gathered outside The Lobster pub, where they were confronted by locals.

Mike Keller, who lost family members in the Holocaust and whose father fled Nazi Germany on the Kindertransport, was horrified at the sight of the uniforms.

He said: “It was a nice family atmosphere and very friendly when suddenly out of nowhere 10-15 men in authentic SS uniforms literally marched in step.”

“It was deeply offensive.” These men didn’t walk around and blend in with people. They marched and demonstrated. It was scary.

“My father came from a Jewish family that lost his parents and brothers and sisters in extermination camps. He was lucky enough to escape with my uncle on the Kindertransport, so to have to see this with my son was a mortal insult and a shameful act.”

Another witness said: “As the group gathered outside the pub, the family-friendly atmosphere of the day became tense. “There was so much tension and shock in the air.

A spokesman for the group, which was present in Nazi-style uniforms, acknowledged that the members wore Waffen-SS infantry uniforms but claimed that they did not portray Germans

“There was a lot of jeering and heckling from spectators.” As the group stood proudly, a man confronted them in the pub.

“That’s when the police arrived and quickly escorted the group out of town. “It all happened pretty quickly.”

Visitor Julie Jones said in her online comment: “I loved the effort that people and their dogs put into dressing up.” The atmosphere was also pleasant… until I spotted a group in German uniform.

“I was surprised at how upset I was and think it was completely inappropriate on a happy occasion celebrating the goodness of the 1940s.”

The incident has led to calls to ban Nazi uniforms on future weekends, and the city council has agreed to discuss proposals to hold the event exclusively in Allied uniforms.

German military clothing from this period is not currently banned – although the North Norfolk Railway, which is holding a related event the same weekend, does not allow such clothing.

The popular celebrations were marred when the group dressed in Nazi-era German uniforms (the original uniforms pictured) gathered outside a local pub and marched “in unison” through the happy crowd

Pictured are people with weapons as part of the Eastern Front Living History Group’s re-enactments of the battle

A spokesman for the festival organizers said German uniforms were allowed as long as they did not “promote the Nazis.”

He claimed the incident was a “misunderstanding” and that the group was there to “commemorate the German people.”

But an updated statement on the group’s website said the spokesman’s comments “are not representative of the committee’s views on crimes caused by a group in SS uniforms.”

It continued: “Our volunteer marshals took immediate action with the help of the police and our volunteers escorted the group out of the city.”

We are working with Sheringham City Council, the police and NNR [North Norfolk Railways] to reflect on what happened and prevent future disruption to this event.”

Sheringham City Council has said it will discuss with Norfolk Police a way to avoid a repeat of the situation on future weekends.

A spokesman said: “Sheringham Borough Council has been informed that there was an incident in the town on Saturday which was dealt with by police.”

“Sheringham City Council will consult with police, North Norfolk Railway and others to determine what happened and what action can be taken to prevent a repeat.”

However, a spokesman for the Eastern Front Living History Group said the incident was exaggerated, claiming locals had “shaked hands” and taken photos.

The group said they have been attending the 1940s Weekend in Sheringham for years to raise money for military veterans and have never experienced negative behavior towards them before.

The spokesman said: “We run battle re-enactments, demonstrations and educational visits across the UK and raise money for charities for wounded soldiers to receive artificial limbs.”

“We represent the Western European nations that fought against Stalin and communism in World War II.”

“We wore Waffen-SS infantry uniforms with national coats of arms and insignia of the countries depicted.” Not a single member of the group portrayed a German.

“The uniforms, as well as the weapons, were supplied by Germany to the foreign volunteers from 1941 to 1945. They are as authentic as possible.

“As a group we have been attending the 1940s Weekend at Sheringham for four or five years running and have never had any problems.”

“We were walking down the main street of Sheringham and people stopped us, shook our hands and wanted to take photos.” It was a brilliant atmosphere. Nobody was upset or offended at all. It was good-natured fun, as it should be.

A spokesman for the Eastern Front Living History Group (pictured are the badges used) said the incident was exaggerated and claimed locals had “shaked hands” and taken photos

A spokesman for the festival organizers said German uniforms were allowed as long as they didn’t “promote the Nazis” (original uniforms pictured).

“We were a quarter of the way down the main street when a very drunk man walked up to a member of the group and attacked him. “He was foaming at the mouth – it was very frightening.

“Then he attacked me and pushed me, shouting about Jewish persecution and his heritage, saying it was disrespectful.”

“I told him I understood his point of view, but what we were portraying was miles away from the point that upset him.”

“As a group, we do not tolerate any politics or any form of religious persecution.” We simply won’t have it. This behavior disgusts us and clouds our actions.

“We weren’t asked to leave. We still wanted to leave to go back to our campsite. “We felt it was the right thing to do.”

A Norfolk Police spokesman said: “A police officer on patrol in Sheringham came across a confrontation on the main street at around 5.30pm on Saturday involving a man and a group of people who had been attending an event .”

“The officer intervened and quickly resolved the incident.” A man said he was attacked and further investigations are underway. No one was injured in the incident.’