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| Ballymena: Significant police presence to continue after 'mob violence' | |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Police engage with rioters during a second night of disorder in Ballymena | Police engage with rioters during a second night of disorder in Ballymena |
| People woke up on Wednesday "feeling genuine fear for their lives and their livelihoods" following "mob violence" in Ballymena, Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson has said. | |
| This comes after two days of violence in which 32 officers were injured and six people arrested. | This comes after two days of violence in which 32 officers were injured and six people arrested. |
| A significant police presence will continue in the County Antrim town after disorder began on Monday following a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault. | A significant police presence will continue in the County Antrim town after disorder began on Monday following a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault. |
| ACC Henderson said the violence was "racist thuggery targeted at ethnic minorities and police officers". | ACC Henderson said the violence was "racist thuggery targeted at ethnic minorities and police officers". |
| The constable said all footage of incidents was being reviewed and prosecutions would come. | |
| "We're taking steps to increase available resources and are surging a significant number of extra officers, vehicles and equipment to those areas where the rioting is taking place," he added. | |
| 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. |
| ACC Henderson said: "This violence only serves to undermine the criminal investigation and cause further distress and turmoil to a young victim and her family. | ACC Henderson said: "This violence only serves to undermine the criminal investigation and cause further distress and turmoil to a young victim and her family. |
| "This violence threatens to derail the very pursuit of justice it claims to challenge." | "This violence threatens to derail the very pursuit of justice it claims to challenge." |
| ACC Henderson also said communities were impacted as "vital resources" were redirected. | ACC Henderson also said communities were impacted as "vital resources" were redirected. |
| Police said there have also been sporadic incidents of disorder in Carrickfergus, north Belfast and Newtownabbey, where one man was arrested. | Police said there have also been sporadic incidents of disorder in Carrickfergus, north Belfast and Newtownabbey, where one man was arrested. |
| 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. |
| The worst of the disorder took place in Ballymena, mainly in the Clonavon Terrace area. Police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction. | The worst of the disorder took place in Ballymena, mainly in the Clonavon Terrace area. Police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction. |
| Protesters throwing projectiles during the unrest in Ballymena on Tuesday | Protesters throwing projectiles during the unrest in Ballymena on Tuesday |
| ACC Henderson also said the PSNI had requested 80 officers through mutual aid resources from colleagues in Great Britain. | |
| He said this will "ensure we have the necessary support and maintain public order to bring offenders to justice in the days to come". | |
| The constables added that it is "absolutely of note" that petrol bombs and masonry were thrown at police during Monday and Tuesday night. | |
| "There were people who were intent on violence right from the off, so that says to me that there was pre-planning involved from those who wanted to attack us." | "There were people who were intent on violence right from the off, so that says to me that there was pre-planning involved from those who wanted to attack us." |
| Authorised officers discharged a number of Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs) and a water cannon was also deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds. | Authorised officers discharged a number of Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs) and a water cannon was also deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds. |
| Businesses and homes were attacked and damaged and a number of vehicles were also set on fire in the area. | Businesses and homes were attacked and damaged and a number of vehicles were also set on fire in the area. |
| Some homes in Ballymena began to display stickers outlining the residents' nationalities. Signs which read "British household" and "Filipino lives here" could be seen on some doors. | Some homes in Ballymena began to display stickers outlining the residents' nationalities. Signs which read "British household" and "Filipino lives here" could be seen on some doors. |
| A clean-up operation commenced on Wednesday, 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 commenced on Wednesday, with debris and burning items being cleared from the roads. Scorch marks and melted bins could be seen on the streets. |
| 'Pure racism' | 'Pure racism' |
| Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he "utterly condemns" the violence. | Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he "utterly condemns" the violence. |
| First Minister Michelle O'Neill said what was happening in Ballymena was "pure racism, there's no other way to dress it up". | First Minister Michelle O'Neill said what was happening in Ballymena was "pure racism, there's no other way to dress it up". |
| Meanwhile, the Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the violence was "serving no purpose whatsoever" and was only damaging communities. | Meanwhile, the Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the violence was "serving no purpose whatsoever" and was only damaging communities. |
| The PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher described the disorder as "mindless violence". | The PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher described the disorder as "mindless violence". |
| "These criminal acts not only endanger lives but also risk undermining the ongoing criminal justice process led by the PSNI in support of a victim who deserves truth, justice, and protection." | "These criminal acts not only endanger lives but also risk undermining the ongoing criminal justice process led by the PSNI in support of a victim who deserves truth, justice, and protection." |