‘Unprecedented' number of families feel unsafe after four nights of violence that left 63 officers injured

Belfast Telegraph

13-06-2025

Chair of Police Federation says 63 officers injured in 'week of shame'
Liam Kelly, Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, says 63 officers have been injured during what he calls a 'week of shame' with appalling levels of unrest in towns and cities.
Mr Kelly said: "Yet again, our overstretched police officers have also been attacked with petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks as they sought to keep people safe and maintain law and order."
Mr Kelly said that since violence erupted officers "have held the line with great courage and professionalism and are owed a debt of gratitude by this community".
"They went to the aid of vulnerable people, have prevented further savage attacks and have undoubtedly saved lives," he continued.
Mr Kelly wished the 63 injured officers a "speedy recovery" and called for attacks on officers to stop.
'This has been a week of shame with hate-filled rioters turning our streets into battle zones targeting people and property simply because of their perceived nationality or the colour of their skin," he added.
'They didn't care who they hurt. Fathers, mothers and young children were their targets. They have damaged Northern Ireland's image and done an enormous disservice to all of us."
Mr Kelly said additional resources have been secured under Mutual Aid and that officers will continue to police "our society without fear or favour and all persons".
'As we head into the weekend, I would once again appeal for calm," he said.
"Bringing violence, fear and uncertainty to our streets is totally unacceptable and must stop.
'I would ask all parents to speak with their children, know where they are going in the evenings, and actively encourage them to be civically responsible. "
DUP MP expresses concerns over 'policing operation' in Portadown
DUP MP Carla Lockhart has expressed her "very real concerns" over how the "policing operation" was carried out in Portadown on Thursday night and has requested a meeting with local policing commanders.
Ms Lockhart posted on Facebook on Friday urging people to "keep calm heads" and said "violence is not the answer".
"The hypocrisy of those with convictions for serious crimes and acts of terrorism, or who celebrate those who committed these acts of terror, now attempting to lecture others on right and wrong is not lost on the wider community, and is certainly not helpful," she said.
"There are very real concerns about how last night's policing operation was carried out.
"Having been on the ground last night, I have requested an urgent meeting with the local police commanders to raise these concerns directly.
"There must be accountability and a clear understanding of how this situation unfolded, so that future policing operations are proportionate, responsible, and respectful of the communities they affect.
"I do understand that policing on occasions has to react to what is unfolding and my thoughts are with the officers on the ground, who bear the brunt of this and are simply following orders, some whom were injured carrying out their duties.
"Violence and attacks on the police are not the way forward."
Today 10:03 AM
Violence in Portadown deplorable and unacceptable, says MLA
Alliance Upper Bann MLA Eóin Tennyson has said those who engaged in violence in Portadown overnight do not represent the vast majority of people in the town.
Officers came under attack with heavy masonry, fireworks and beer kegs in the area last night.
A police spokesperson said 22 officers were injured and two people were arrested.
'Whilst the violence in Portadown was on a smaller scale than that witnessed in other parts of Northern Ireland, it was no less deplorable and unacceptable,' said the Alliance Deputy Leader.
'Those responsible for this racist thuggery do not speak for the majority of people in our community.
'No family should ever have to leave their home out of fear for their own safety. My solidarity and support is with our migrant and ethnic minority communities at what I know is an incredibly worrying time.
'I am grateful to the PSNI for their strong response and my thoughts are with the officers who were injured in the course of their duties.
'There is no place for racism, hate or division in Portadown or anywhere else in Northern Ireland.
"All those in positions of leadership and responsibility must now use any influence they can to ensure we do not see a repeat of these scenes again."
Today 09:58 AM
'Unprecedented number of families feel unsafe in their home' says NI Housing Executive chief
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has said that around 50 households in Northern Ireland have received assistance after rioting broke out in Ballymena earlier this week.
Around 14 families have also been provided with emergency accommodation.
On Thursday night a family with young children had to be evacuated from their home in Coleraine following a fire.
The PSNI are treating the fire as a racially-motivated hate crime.
NIHE chief executive, Grainia Long, said she expects the number of people seeking help to rise.
Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme, Ms Long described the last week as "extraordinary", saying there is an "unprecedented number of families locally who feel it is unsafe to stay in their home".
"Demand is extremely high, and it has been one of those weeks where everyone has had to move very quickly to respond.
"We do expect the numbers to increase as households make decisions about what is safe for them."
She added that NIHE staff "have been out on the ground, supporting communities, working within them and ensuring their safety", as well as "working with older people who are scared and asking questions about their safety".
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt: 'without our international colleagues, the health service would collapse'
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has condemned the recent racist violence and said that it has left international colleagues working throughout the Health & Social Care system in Northern Ireland "frightened and vulnerable".
'It is well accepted within Health and Social Care that without our international colleagues, the health service would collapse," he said.
'The international recruits who arrive to work here across our HSC system provide an immensely valuable contribution to the delivery of health and social care services and enrich our communities with their diversity.
'Since taking up the post of Health Minister last year, I have had the privilege of meeting healthcare staff right across Northern Ireland, including many of our internationally recruited colleagues who have brought their skills, experience and expertise to our health service. They are greatly needed, very much appreciated and highly valued. They are deeply welcome here and their health, safety and wellbeing are of paramount importance.
'People should be entitled to live in peace, free from harm and intimidation, and I stand against this reprehensible, racist and xenophobic behaviour.'
Today 09:16 AM
'Emergency rally against racist riots' to be held tomorrow in Belfast
The event has been called by United Against Racism (UAR)and will take place at 12pm at Belfast City Hall.
Speaking ahead of the rally, UAR Chair Ivanka Antova said: "The racist riots we have witnessed have spread fear across our communities and posed a direct threat to the life of migrants.
"United Against Racism will not stand by while far-right agitators whip up such violence. We know that the vast majority of people are anti-racist and abhor racist hatred.
"We are calling on those people, on the trade unions who represent a growing migrant workforce, and all progressive forces to join us to send a clear and resolute message against racism and racist violence."
Today 08:57 AM
Church of Ireland leader says damage from unrest 'cannot simply be swept away'
Church of Ireland Archbishop John McDowell said that the recent disorder in towns across the region are "a source of great shame for Northern Ireland."
"Hiding behind the figment of 'legitimate concerns' but in fact motivated by crude racism, groups of young men (and the shadowy and unaccountable people who control them) planned and carried out attacks on civil society and on democracy. The damage they have caused is not just material; it cannot be simply swept away," he said.
"We should put ourselves in the shoes of someone trapped inside a house or a hostel while an angry mob gathers outside. It must be utterly terrifying. Imagine the lasting impact of such terror on a child.
"The people who are the target of such squalid protests have come to this country to make a new life and to make a living. Just as we would rightly refuse to be judged by the criminal actions of any individual who happens to be from the same nationality or ethnicity as us, so we should question those who do so of others."
Today 08:26 AM
The PSNI has condemned a fourth consecutive night of disorder - with more arrests and officers injured.
In a statement the PSNI said there was "significant disorder and violence in Portadown over a number of hours" with officers coming under sustained attack with heavy masonry and fireworks thrown in their direction.
Twenty-two officers were injured.
They said officers used various public order tactics and there were no reports of injury to the public or damage to property.
Two arrests were made in Portadown – a woman in her 50s and a man in his 30s - on suspicion of riotous behaviour and other offences in connection with the disorder.
The PSNI said there was protests reported in Belfast – these were mainly peaceful – with travel disrupted in the Templemore Avenue area of east Belfast for a short time.
Bricks were thrown through the windows of two houses in the Avoniel Road in a racially-motivated attack.
There was a protest at Carrick roundabout and a small fire at the Manse Road roundabout in Newtownabbey. With reports of anti-immigration hate graffiti being investigated in Newtownards.
Police said a house fire in the Mount Street area of Coleraine is being treated as deliberate and a racially-motivated hate crime. A family with three young children were evacuated from this property.
Meanwhile, Ballymena "did not witness the disgraceful scenes of rioting as previous nights".
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: 'Last night in Portadown police came under sustained attack from rioters throwing masonry and other missiles. Officers deployed a variety of public order tactics to restore order to the town as quickly as possible.
'Twenty-two officers were injured and I am so grateful to them for their bravery and selfless dedication in protecting the community of Portadown from this criminality.
'We saw calm in Ballymena and I hope the powerful words of the family who asked for calm during this really difficult time were heard and continue to be heard over the coming days.
'Two arrests were made in Portadown last night and more will follow.
"I repeat, once more, our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days."
Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI25U11-PO1
https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
crimestoppers-uk.org
Today 08:17 AM
Nigel Farage weighs in on 'ugly' unrest in Ballymena
The Reform UK leader said the riots in Ballymena were 'ugly', but claimed his warnings about immigration had been ignored.
Speaking on GB News, Mr Farage said: 'The Ballymena riots. They are ugly. Houses being torched, people actually putting in their windows what their identity is.
'No-one on this channel will condone in any way at all what has taken place.
'However angry you are, why on earth would you destroy what actually looks like a rather modern, well-built community asset? It's just insanity.'
But the Clacton MP claimed that unrest could have been avoided if his warnings on immigration had been taken seriously.
'I said, 'Be careful. Get immigration numbers substantially lower. Don't allow people who come illegally to stay,' he said.
Today 08:12 AM
TUV MLA claims Ballymena violence was due to 'people's concerns not being listened to'
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said that the reasons behind the recent violence in Ballymena this week was due to people 'not being listened to' over issues on immigration.
'What we've seen over the past number of nights on our streets has been deplorable, but this was always going to happen, simply because people's concerns have not been listened to these past number of years,' he said on the BBC's Good Morning Ulster.
'There is an undercurrent here within the community where the community feels it hasn't been listened to, and that has been allowed to fester and sadly it has manifested itself in the scenes we have seen over the last number of days, and that is disappointing.'
Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson hit back at Mr Gaston's claims and said: 'You cannot contextualise or explain away what has happened, what has been wanton racist violence.
'The people who have engaged in violence are racist thugs, no ifs, no buts, and I think it's time we see leadership in all political parties in calling that out rather than trying to conflate what are two very distinct and separate issues.'
Today 08:02 AM
Portadown: 'Children are frightened they might be killed'
Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson said that children were telling their teachers in school that they were afraid they would be killed.
Speaking on Friday's BBC Good Morning Ulster, he said that, although he is 'relieved' the violence in Portadown on Thursday night was on a smaller scale than what was seen in Ballymena, it was still 'deplorable'.
'I'm also deeply concerned at most of the racist sentiment surrounding those protesting,' he said.
'Just because the violence was on a smaller scale doesn't diminish the impact that I know this event has had on our ethnic and minority community in Portadown.
'Many people felt that they had no option but to leave their homes for their own safety.
'Speaking to a local school, children were going in talking to their teachers about how scared they were and how they were frightened they might be killed or burnt out of their homes.
'That carries a huge psychological impact to primary school age children.'
Today 07:47 AM
Doug Beattie: 'This was about anarchy'
Former UUP leader Doug Beattie said that the recent rioting in Portadown, where police came under attack for a fourth night, was 'not about safeguarding women'.
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster on Friday, Mr Beattie said: : 'None of this was about safeguarding women and girls in our society, this was about disorder, this was about anarchy, this was about people having a go at the police.
'Without a doubt there are people hellbent on using this to attack the police and it has to stop.'