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| Families hid in attics during 'race motivated' disorder, says chief constable | Families hid in attics during 'race motivated' disorder, says chief constable |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Officers were attacked with petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks, fireworks and a hatchet in Ballymena on Wednesday night | |
| Families hid in attics and wardrobes during violent disorder in Ballymena, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable has said. | Families hid in attics and wardrobes during violent disorder in Ballymena, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable has said. |
| This comes following three days of violence in Ballymena, and some other towns, in which 41 officers were injured and 13 people arrested. | This comes following three days of violence in Ballymena, and some other towns, in which 41 officers were injured and 13 people arrested. |
| 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. |
| Jon Boutcher described that violence as "racist", adding "the people who are threatening families who are different to them - that is racism". | Jon Boutcher described that violence as "racist", adding "the people who are threatening families who are different to them - that is racism". |
| Mr Boutcher said after a peaceful protest was "hijacked" on Monday evening, police and the fire service had to help families "who have done nothing wrong". | Mr Boutcher said after a peaceful protest was "hijacked" on Monday evening, police and the fire service had to help families "who have done nothing wrong". |
| He added that: "We stand absolutely shoulder to shoulder with the diverse communities in Northern Ireland. | He added that: "We stand absolutely shoulder to shoulder with the diverse communities in Northern Ireland. |
| "These bigots and racists will not win the day." | "These bigots and racists will not win the day." |
| 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. |
| Mr Boutcher said in addition to the two teenagers who have been arrested and charged. | Mr Boutcher said in addition to the two teenagers who have been arrested and charged. |
| "We've identified a third suspect who is currently outside the jurisdiction, but we will be bringing him back into the jurisdiction," he added. | "We've identified a third suspect who is currently outside the jurisdiction, but we will be bringing him back into the jurisdiction," he added. |
| Mr Boutcher said the family of the young girl wanted the violence to stop. | Mr Boutcher said the family of the young girl wanted the violence to stop. |
| "She's been further traumatised by what has happened over the last three nights," he said. | "She's been further traumatised by what has happened over the last three nights," he said. |
| Police have sent reinforcements to Ballymena as the violence continues to flare | Police have sent reinforcements to Ballymena as the violence continues to flare |
| The worst of the disorder took place in Ballymena, mainly in the Clonavon Terrace area. | The worst of the disorder took place in Ballymena, mainly in the Clonavon Terrace area. |
| Police have described the disorder as "racist thuggery, pure and simple" and targeted at ethnic minorities and law enforcement. | Police have described the disorder as "racist thuggery, pure and simple" and targeted at ethnic minorities and law enforcement. |
| Over the three days in Ballymena, police officers came under sustained attack with petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction. | Over the three days in Ballymena, police officers came under sustained attack with petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction. |
| Mr Boutcher called on those involved to stop and warned that there will be prosecutions. | Mr Boutcher called on those involved to stop and warned that there will be prosecutions. |
| "Don't come out onto the streets tonight. If you do we will police you, and we will deal with you through the criminal justice system." | "Don't come out onto the streets tonight. If you do we will police you, and we will deal with you through the criminal justice system." |
| "We'll be releasing images of those responsible. We will be going after them." | "We'll be releasing images of those responsible. We will be going after them." |
| He said that three young people were in court in Ballymena on Thursday and remanded into custody for "these disturbances". | He said that three young people were in court in Ballymena on Thursday and remanded into custody for "these disturbances". |
| The Policing Board Chair Mukesh Sharma says "This violence needs to stop before a life is lost or serious injuries sustained" | The Policing Board Chair Mukesh Sharma says "This violence needs to stop before a life is lost or serious injuries sustained" |
| The chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Mukesh Sharma said: "This violence is racism – pure and simple." | The chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Mukesh Sharma said: "This violence is racism – pure and simple." |
| He said: "It is hard to find the words to describe the scenes of vitriol and hatred on our streets," adding that is "mindless violence that is simply wrecking communities". | He said: "It is hard to find the words to describe the scenes of vitriol and hatred on our streets," adding that is "mindless violence that is simply wrecking communities". |
| "This violence needs to stop before a life is lost or serious injuries sustained." | "This violence needs to stop before a life is lost or serious injuries sustained." |
| Watch: Leisure centre set on fire in third night of violence in Northern Ireland | Watch: Leisure centre set on fire in third night of violence in Northern Ireland |
| On Wednesday, the PSNI confirmed that a significant number of extra police officers were being deployed into areas affected. | On Wednesday, the PSNI confirmed that a significant number of extra police officers were being deployed into areas affected. |
| Police Scotland has agreed to send officers, after police in Northern Ireland requested extra support under mutual aid arrangements. | Police Scotland has agreed to send officers, after police in Northern Ireland requested extra support under mutual aid arrangements. |
| In Larne, masked youths attacked a leisure centre and set it on fire on Wednesday. | In Larne, masked youths attacked a leisure centre and set it on fire on Wednesday. |
| The centre had been providing emergency shelter for families following the clashes earlier in the week, the council said. | The centre had been providing emergency shelter for families following the clashes earlier in the week, the council said. |
| There have also been incidents in Larne, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, north Belfast and Newtownabbey. | There have also been incidents in Larne, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, north Belfast and Newtownabbey. |
| Olympic swimmer Danielle Hill said the disorder was "racism in its rawest" | Olympic swimmer Danielle Hill said the disorder was "racism in its rawest" |
| Olympic swimmer Danielle Hill, who competed in both the Paris and Tokyo Games, was at the facility when the attacks took place. | Olympic swimmer Danielle Hill, who competed in both the Paris and Tokyo Games, was at the facility when the attacks took place. |
| She took the decision to cancel swimming lessons after spotting four masked men near the centre. | She took the decision to cancel swimming lessons after spotting four masked men near the centre. |
| The 25-year-old said: "I mean, it's sad. It's awful. I lay awake last night. When there's kids involved it's upsetting. | The 25-year-old said: "I mean, it's sad. It's awful. I lay awake last night. When there's kids involved it's upsetting. |
| "It shouldn't be happening. There was no need for the violence. | "It shouldn't be happening. There was no need for the violence. |
| In a statement, a council spokesperson said they're "assessing the significant damage" and that "the centre remains closed". | In a statement, a council spokesperson said they're "assessing the significant damage" and that "the centre remains closed". |