Violence erupts for third night in UK town as rioters set leisure centre on fire

Wales Online

2 days ago

Violence erupts for third night in UK town as rioters set leisure centre on fire
Homes have been evacuated and a leisure centre housing migrants has been set alight
A third night of civil unrest has unfolded in Ballymena, NI
(Image: Getty Images )
A third night of violence has ensued in a UK town in what has been described as "anti-immigration riots." Videos circulating online show a number of projectiles being launched at police in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, including petrol bombs and fireworks in another night of rioting which has seen violence, arrests and a number of people injured.
The riots began on Monday after two teenage boys appeared in court accused of attempted rape. They had confirmed their names and ages through a Romanian interpreter and denied the charges against them.
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By Monday afternoon, a social media post advertising a planned protest at 7.30pm that evening had been widely circulated and despite it being planned as peaceful, violent attacks were launched on places known to house migrants.
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Since then there have been three nights of violence and vandalism with people reportedly afraid to leave their homes, multiple arrests and dozens of police officers injured.
On Wednesday masked youths attacked Larne Leisure Centre by smashing windows and setting fires.
They are believed to have targeted the building after social media posts had suggested that those moved out of Ballymena homes were being housed there.
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It is understood that there was no one inside the Leisure Centre during the attack. Emergency services created blockades with vehicles and a water cannon was also used in an effort to disperse the crowds that gathered close to Clonavon Terrace.
Police used water jets to disperse the crowds
(Image: Getty Images )
DUP politician Gordon Lyons posted a message to Facebook on Wednesday: "A number of individuals were temporarily moved to Larne Lesiure Centre... following disturbances in Ballymena.
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"It has now been confirmed to us by the PSNI and Council that all these individuals are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne.
"Protesting is of course a legitimate right but violence is not and I would encourage everyone to remain peaceful."
The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the 'mindless attacks which has been described by senior police officers as "racist thuggery."
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Some Ballymena residents have put British and Irish flags in their windows so that their homes are not targeted.
Many locals have said they are too afraid to leave their homes.