Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has expressed “concern” over the disorder in Ballymena with a spokesperson for the leader saying there is “no justification for attacks on police”.
When asked about the violent scenes in the town, Downing Street said: “Obviously, the reports of sexual assault in the area are extremely distressing, but there is no justification for attacks on police officers while they continue to protect local communities.
“PSNI and the justice system must be allowed to carry out their jobs and our thoughts are with the victims of the assault as well as the police officers who were injured.”
It comes after fifteen PSNI officers were injured and four homes were set ablaze as trouble erupted in Ballymena last night.
Masked thugs threw missiles at officers and a police car was attacked during the disorder, which police described as racially-motivated.
It flared following an earlier vigil over an alleged sexual assault on a teenage girl in the Co Antrim town.
During the violence, officers discharged one baton round (AEP) with one rioter struck.
One man has been arrested, police said today.
The 29-year-old was held on suspicion of riotous and disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police. He remains in police custody.
But later in the evening several houses were attacked by masked youths, who could be seen kicking in doors and throwing missiles at windows.
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland said the attack on police officers was “totally mindless, unacceptable, and feral.”
PFNI Chair Liam Kelly said: “Once again, our colleagues were caught up trying to quell hate-filled violence on our streets. Officers who were trying to protect life and property came under unjustified sustained attack. All right-minded people should utterly condemn these actions and provide information and assistance to the PSNI so they can identify those who engaged in the various lawless acts of thuggery.”
The alleged victim’s family condemned the violence.
“As a family we would like to let people know that we were no way involved or condone any trouble that happened after tonight’s peaceful protest,” they said, in a statement issued via local MLA Paul Frew.
“We would again like to thank the people who came from far and wide to support us and ask that justice be served in the correct manner.”
North Antrim MP Jim Allister condemned the trouble, and blamed people from outside the area.
Justice Minister Naomi Long said she was “appalled” by the “disturbing scenes”.
The PSNI said officers had attended a planned vigil “to ensure an appropriate and proportionate policing response”.
“Masked individuals then broke away from the vigil and began to build barricades, stockpiling missiles and attacking properties in the Clonavon Terrace area,” they said.
“Elements of the crowd then turned onto police and attacked officers with petrol bombs and masonry. This disorder was sustained and continued in the vicinity of Galgorm Street, Linenhall Street and Larne Road Link in the vicinity of the Braid.
“Police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, fireworks, heavy masonry and bricks thrown in their direction by masked rioters. Fifteen officers were injured with some requiring required hospital treatment. Two police vehicles were also damaged during the disorder
“A number of homes and businesses were damaged with windows and doors smashed. Four houses were damaged by fire with three people evacuated.
“The attacks on these properties are being investigated as racially-motivated hate attacks. Windows were also smashed of several business units in Galgorm Parks in the early hours. In total, six properties in Clonavon Terrace have sustained damage to windows and doors during the disorder.”
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the violence “was clearly racially motivated and targeted at our minority ethnic community and police”.
“I want to condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms. It has no place in our society and should be loudly condemned by all right-thinking people,” he added.
“Last night, we made one arrest. Today, we are actively working to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. Over the coming days, we will have in place a significant policing presence to help protect these communities in Ballymena and prevent any future disorder.
“During the course of the night, 15 officers were injured. I am hugely grateful to them for their bravery in facing this challenge.”
Police are also investigating a report of arson at the Tobar Park area of Cullybackey in the early hours of this morning.
Shortly after 12.20am, it was reported that a petrol bomb had been thrown at a vehicle in the area which caused it to set alight. Damage was caused to a nearby property, with a woman and two children inside the property. No-one was injured.
The fire is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime.
Mr Allister, the local MP, led condemnation of the trouble.
“The reported racial dimension of Saturday night’s attack has acted as a catalyst for public outrage, drawing attention to long-standing frustrations,” he said.
“The large turnout this evening demonstrates the strength of feeling in the local community – feelings which were, in the main, expressed peacefully.
“Sadly, the actions of a small number have cast a shadow over what was, for most, a lawful protest.
“Evidence suggests that individuals from outside the area came with the express purpose of causing disruption.”
The TUV leader added that “violence serves no cause” and “does not help the young girl or her family, and it distracts from the very real grievances being voiced.”
Ms Long, meanwhile, said: “There is absolutely no place in our society for such disorder and there can be no justification for it.
“I would appeal to those involved to seriously consider their actions and step back from this behaviour before someone is seriously injured or worse.
“Attacking homes and police officers serves no purpose other than to damage communities and raise tensions. Those involved will be pursued and held accountable for their actions.”
She added: “I am also calling on community and political leaders and all those with influence to condemn this violence and work with the police and community to quell any further disorder or violence.”
DUP MLA for North Antrim Paul Frew condemned those responsible for the violent scenes.
“I totally condemn the violence that occurred in Ballymena on Monday evening. I feared this would happen,” he said.
“For weeks and months, I have been warning about rising tensions, and sadly those warnings have now come true.
“There is no justification for what happened. Violence is always wrong. It solves nothing and serves only to retraumatise a community. I want to thank the PSNI and NIFRS for their actions last night in what was an extremely challenging situation.
“The answer always lies in the justice system, not street violence. The people responsible for recent crimes must be dealt with by the full force of the law. That is where accountability lies.”
Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland director, said that the violence “could have cost someone their life.”
“Today, families from immigrant and minoritised communities across Northern Ireland are living in fear. It is vital that the police act swiftly and decisively to protect those most at risk,” he said.
“At a time of heightened tension, politicians have a duty to choose their words carefully because incendiary rhetoric can lead to burned-out homes and shattered lives.
“Justice must be pursued through the legal system, not by mobs.”
It came hours after two 14-year-old boys appeared at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court charged with the attempted rape of a teenage girl in the Co Antrim town.
The alleged incident, described by police as a “serious sexual assault”, is said to have occurred in Clonavon Terrace on Saturday between 7.30pm and 10.30pm.
Their solicitor said both accused had no record in the jurisdiction and both denied the matter in interview with police.
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