John Swinney: 'We have shared interest in tackling racist violence'
Some 63 police officers have been injured in what has been called a "week of shame" in Northern Ireland.
Mr Swinney made his comments during a press conference following the BIC summit in the Slieve Donard hotel in the seaside resort of Newcastle, County Down, where he was asked about the Police Scotland public order officers who had been sent to help the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
'I think this is an illustration of how co-operation among police forces is absolutely essential. We have benefited on other occasions from support from PSNI in Scotland, so that availability of mutual aid is important as an asset to be called upon," he said.
First Minister John Swinney at the British Irish Council meeting on Friday (Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire) 'But it also reinforces the point that we all have a shared interest in tackling outbreaks of racism and racist-based violence wherever they take place.
'I'm pleased that Police Scotland have been able to support PSNI in demonstrating the resolve that all of us feel that we must tackle racist violence.'
The summit had a focus on artificial intelligence and was co-chaired by First Minister Michelle O'Neill MLA and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly MLA.
It was the 43rd meeting of the British-Irish Council (BIC), which was established to promote mutually beneficial development following the Good Friday Agreement.
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Riots started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the County Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week.
A number of homes were targeted, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has said about 50 households have received assistance across the week, and 14 families provided with emergency accommodation.
Disorder in Ballymena raged across Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights, and while it appeared to have abated on Thursday, disorder broke out in Portadown.
There have also been incidents in other towns, including the burning of Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday and an arson attack on a house in Coleraine in the early hours of Friday from which a man and woman, and four young children escaped.
It is being treated by police as arson with a racially-motivated hate element.
Twenty-two police officers were injured in overnight disorder in Portadown after they came under sustained attack with heavy masonry, fireworks and beer kegs in the County Armagh town on Thursday.
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A woman in her 50s and a man in his 30s were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and other offences in connection with the disorder in Portadown.
There was also sporadic disorder elsewhere in Northern Ireland on Thursday night, following mainly peaceful protests, including in the Templemore Avenue area of east Belfast, where bricks were thrown through the windows of two houses in Avoniel Road in what police have called a racially motivated attack.
A small fire at the Manse Road roundabout in Newtownabbey was also reported, and anti-immigration hate graffiti is being investigated in Newtownards.
Meanwhile, a house fire in the Mount Street area of Coleraine which led to the evacuation of a family with three young children is being treated as deliberate and a racially motivated hate crime.
The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said that since violence erupted in Ballymena on Monday, 63 officers have been injured.
Federation chairman Liam Kelly said it has been "a week of shame with appalling levels of unrest in towns and cities".
"Burning people out of their homes, attacking a leisure centre, and the specific targeting of individuals and property fuelled by overt racism and prejudice, is totally deplorable," he 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.
"They 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."
Mr Kelly called for an end to the violence.
"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 said.
"We will continue to police our society without fear or favour, and all persons, irrespective of their background, race, colour or creed, who are engaged in any criminality, should expect to be the subject of our criminal justice processes.
"We cannot have sections of our society blatantly disregarding the law and bringing their own twisted version of justice to bear.
"As we head into the weekend, I would once again appeal for calm. 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."
Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned on Thursday that his officers would be coming after the "bigots and racists" behind the disorder.
He also said that the young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena had been "further traumatised" by the rioting across the week.
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