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| Union flag protests: more than 200 arrested in Northern Ireland | Union flag protests: more than 200 arrested in Northern Ireland |
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| More than 200 people have been arrested over the union flag protests in Northern Ireland, police have said. | More than 200 people have been arrested over the union flag protests in Northern Ireland, police have said. |
| Of the 229 people detained as part of Operation Dulcet – the huge drive to bring lawbreakers to justice – 174 have been charged with offences including riotous assembly, affray, unlawful assembly, assault on police and criminal damage. | Of the 229 people detained as part of Operation Dulcet – the huge drive to bring lawbreakers to justice – 174 have been charged with offences including riotous assembly, affray, unlawful assembly, assault on police and criminal damage. |
| Sixty-two people have been reported to the Public Prosecution Service, including a number who were not arrested. A further 30 people have been released on bail. | Sixty-two people have been reported to the Public Prosecution Service, including a number who were not arrested. A further 30 people have been released on bail. |
| D S Sean Wright said the police investigation had received strong support from the public. | D S Sean Wright said the police investigation had received strong support from the public. |
| "It is vital that we all send out a message to those involved in public disorder that such behaviour will not be tolerated. Those who break the law must face consequences for their actions. They will be dealt with appropriately and proportionately through the criminal justice system," the senior detective said. | "It is vital that we all send out a message to those involved in public disorder that such behaviour will not be tolerated. Those who break the law must face consequences for their actions. They will be dealt with appropriately and proportionately through the criminal justice system," the senior detective said. |
| Operation Dulcet is investigating rioting, hijacking of vehicles, attacks on politicians' offices, threats made against politicians, un-notified processions and social media-based offences. | Operation Dulcet is investigating rioting, hijacking of vehicles, attacks on politicians' offices, threats made against politicians, un-notified processions and social media-based offences. |
| Last month the PSNI chief constable, Matt Baggott, disclosed that the cost of policing the union flag protests had topped £20m. | Last month the PSNI chief constable, Matt Baggott, disclosed that the cost of policing the union flag protests had topped £20m. |
| Demonstrations have been held since early December when Belfast council voted to limit the number of days the union flag flies over City Hall. | Demonstrations have been held since early December when Belfast council voted to limit the number of days the union flag flies over City Hall. |
| A number of protests descended into serious violence and rioting, particularly in east Belfast, with about 140 police officers being injured. | A number of protests descended into serious violence and rioting, particularly in east Belfast, with about 140 police officers being injured. |
| The protests have become more sporadic and less incendiary in recent weeks. | The protests have become more sporadic and less incendiary in recent weeks. |
| High profile loyalists Willie Frazer, 53, from County Armagh, and Jamie Bryson, 23, from County Down, were remanded in custody charged with public order offences connected to the protests. Both men have since been released under strict bail conditions. | High profile loyalists Willie Frazer, 53, from County Armagh, and Jamie Bryson, 23, from County Down, were remanded in custody charged with public order offences connected to the protests. Both men have since been released under strict bail conditions. |
| During the height of the flag crisis, death threats were sent to a number of politicians including the East Belfast MP Naomi Long from the cross-community Alliance party, whose constituency office was picketed by Union flag protesters. | During the height of the flag crisis, death threats were sent to a number of politicians including the East Belfast MP Naomi Long from the cross-community Alliance party, whose constituency office was picketed by Union flag protesters. |
| A number of other Alliance Party representatives had their homes and offices vandalised. | A number of other Alliance Party representatives had their homes and offices vandalised. |
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