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Ballymena: Seventeen police officers injured during second night of violence Ballymena: Seventeen police officers injured during second night of violence
(31 minutes later)
BBC correspondent shows aftermath of Ballymena violent protestsBBC correspondent shows aftermath of Ballymena violent protests
Protesters threw petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks at police during another night of disorder in Ballymena on Tuesday.Protesters threw petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks at police during another night of disorder in Ballymena on Tuesday.
Five people were arrested and a further 17 officers were injured overnight, bringing the total to 32.Five people were arrested and a further 17 officers were injured overnight, bringing the total to 32.
Officers fired baton rounds and used a water cannon to disperse protesters as cars were set on fire and the windows of several houses were smashed.Officers fired baton rounds and used a water cannon to disperse protesters as cars were set on fire and the windows of several houses were smashed.
The disorder began on Monday after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in the County Antrim town.The disorder began on Monday after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in the County Antrim town.
Debris was strewn across the streets on Wednesday morningDebris was strewn across the streets on Wednesday morning
The first protest was organised hours after two teenage boys appeared before Coleraine Magistrates' Court .The first protest was organised hours after two teenage boys appeared before Coleraine Magistrates' Court .
They spoke through an interpreter in Romanian to confirm their names and ages. Their solicitor said they would be denying the charges.They spoke through an interpreter in Romanian to confirm their names and ages. Their solicitor said they would be denying the charges.
Crowds gathered in the Clonavon Terrace area for a second night of violent disorder, which has been described by police as "racist thuggery".Crowds gathered in the Clonavon Terrace area for a second night of violent disorder, which has been described by police as "racist thuggery".
Riot officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had been deployed to Ballymena.Riot officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had been deployed to Ballymena.
Police said they also dealt with sporadic incidents of disorder in Newtownabbey, where a man was arrested, and Carrickfergus in County Antrim and north Belfast.Police said they also dealt with sporadic incidents of disorder in Newtownabbey, where a man was arrested, and Carrickfergus in County Antrim and north Belfast.
One man, 29, has been charged with riotous behaviour, disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police after Monday's violence.One man, 29, has been charged with riotous behaviour, disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police after Monday's violence.
Watch: Police attacked on second night of disorder in BallymenaWatch: Police attacked on second night of disorder in Ballymena
Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the disorder was "abhorrent" and called for it to stop immediately.
"Those responsible for this violence bring nothing to our communities but hatred, fear and division," she added.
'No evidence of paramilitary involvement'
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said the violence endangered lives and risked the ongoing criminal justice process.PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said the violence endangered lives and risked the ongoing criminal justice process.
He said the PSNI would pursue those responsible and images would be released to identify offenders.He said the PSNI would pursue those responsible and images would be released to identify offenders.
"To those who have been threatened or affected by this violence: we are with you," he added."To those who have been threatened or affected by this violence: we are with you," he added.
He said the PSNI was "critically underfunded" and would be "making arrangements to activate mutual aid resources".He said the PSNI was "critically underfunded" and would be "making arrangements to activate mutual aid resources".
"Our resourcing levels are not just inadequate - they are dangerous," he said."Our resourcing levels are not just inadequate - they are dangerous," he said.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said has urged the public to stay at home on Wednesday night. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson has urged the public to stay at home on Wednesday night.
"Those that would want to come out on to the streets tonight, under the banner of protest, tonight is not the night to do that," he told the Nolan Show.
There was no evidence of paramilitary involvement and the violence was "sporadic", he added.There was no evidence of paramilitary involvement and the violence was "sporadic", he added.
Some homes have begun displaying stickers outlining the residents' nationalities. Signs which read "British household" another with "Filipino lives here" could be seen on some doors. Some homes have begun displaying stickers outlining the residents' nationalities. Signs which read "British household" and "Filipino lives here" could be seen on some doors.
Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the disorder in Ballymena is "abhorrent" and called for it to stop immediately.
"Those responsible for this violence bring nothing to our communities but hatred, fear and division," she added.
Alliance Party assembly member Sian Mulholland told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme that there was a heavily pregnant woman in one of the houses set on fire.Alliance Party assembly member Sian Mulholland told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme that there was a heavily pregnant woman in one of the houses set on fire.
"We were able to direct the police to remove that family and get them out of the area to safety, to the police station," she said."We were able to direct the police to remove that family and get them out of the area to safety, to the police station," she said.
Mulholland said there was "widespread livestreaming on social media of the violence – directing people where to go, how to get around the police barricades".Mulholland said there was "widespread livestreaming on social media of the violence – directing people where to go, how to get around the police barricades".
Signs have appeared outside some homes in Ballymena to indicate the nationality of residentsSigns have appeared outside some homes in Ballymena to indicate the nationality of residents
The area appears to have calmed but police cars were seen patrolling Ballymena on Wednesday morning, while fire fighters extinguished a small fire behind a wall near Clonavon Road. 'Tensions rising' in Ballymena
A clean-up operation has begun, with debris and burning items being cleared from the roads. Scorch marks and melted bins could be seen on the streets. A clean-up operation is under way, with debris and burning items being cleared from the roads. Scorch marks and melted bins can be seen on the streets.
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member Paul Frew told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he feared someone would be killed in the disorder.Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member Paul Frew told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he feared someone would be killed in the disorder.
Frew said it was "drowning out the strong and sincere sympathies for victims of sexual violence".Frew said it was "drowning out the strong and sincere sympathies for victims of sexual violence".
He said tensions had been rising for some time in Ballymena and and people were "frightened about illegal immigration".He said tensions had been rising for some time in Ballymena and and people were "frightened about illegal immigration".
Police have urged anyone involved in the unrest "to reflect long and hard about their actions".Police have urged anyone involved in the unrest "to reflect long and hard about their actions".
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's spokesman on Tuesday described the events in Ballymena as "very concerning".Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's spokesman on Tuesday described the events in Ballymena as "very concerning".
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said there was "no justification" for the rioting.Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said there was "no justification" for the rioting.
The MP for North Antrim, Jim Allister, posted on social media: "Tonight's further senseless violence in Ballymena is helping no cause, just destroying our own town and getting young men criminal records. Stop it."The MP for North Antrim, Jim Allister, posted on social media: "Tonight's further senseless violence in Ballymena is helping no cause, just destroying our own town and getting young men criminal records. Stop it."
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