Senior officer brands Ballymena riots ‘racist thuggery' and reveals other police forces ‘ready to support PSNI'

Belfast Telegraph

a day ago

The PSNI also confirmed there will be a 'significant policing operation' in the town over the coming days and that arrests will follow.
It comes after 15 PSNI officers were injured and four homes were set ablaze as trouble erupted in the town.
Masked thugs threw missiles at officers and a police car was attacked during the disorder, which police described as racially-motivated.
Trouble flared following an earlier peaceful protest in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the town at the weekend.
Two 14-year-old boys appeared in court on Monday charged with attempted rape. The charges were read to the teenagers by a Romanian interpreter.
There has been widespread condemnation of the violence from across the political divide, including from the office of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer who described the scenes as 'very concerning'.
At a police briefing today in the aftermath of last night's scenes, a senior police officer branded the disorder in the town as 'racist thuggery, pure and simply'.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the attacks in the Co Antrim town should be 'loudly condemned by all right thinking people'.
'Any attempt to justify or explain it as something else is misplaced,' he said at a press conference at Ballymena police station.
Mr Henderson branded the numerous attacks as 'clearly racially motivated' while strongly condemning the violence.
He said that members of the minority ethnic community 'feel fear' and there will be a significant policing operation in the town in the coming days to reassure the community.
"I want to condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms. It has no place in our society,' he said.
"At around 7.30pm last night a planned vigil gathered in the Galgorm Road area before making its way towards Larne Street and on to Wakehurst Road and then down on to Queen Street.
"The vigil was initially peaceful as it made its way towards the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena. A number of masked individuals then broke away from the vigil and began to build barricades, stockpiling missiles and attacking properties.
"The crowd then turned on to the police and attacked officers with petrol bombs and masonry. This disorder was sustained for several hours. A number of homes and businesses were damaged.
"Four houses were damaged by fire with three people evacuated. We are engaging with groups affected by the disorder to support and reassure them. I cannot imagine the fear felt by those innocent families targeted by the thugs responsible.
"We know members of our minority ethnic community feel fear. I understand their fear and I want to say to those in fear the PSNI is here for you. We are here to support you.'
He said one arrest has been made and more will follow, as video and online footage is examined.
The 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of riotous and disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police. He was taken into police custody.
'I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday's disorder to reflect long and hard about their actions, they will have consequences,' Mr Henderson said.
Police officers from England and Wales will be brought to Northern Ireland if needed to help the PSNI in the wake of the Ballymena disorder.
'Significant' policing resources have been mounted across the region after the disruption that saw the windows and doors of houses and businesses in the Co Antrim town damaged overnight.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said that while additional officers may be brought in, he was confident PSNI had all the resources they needed on Tuesday.
'Should I need any additionality, I'm absolutely assured that my colleagues in policing in England and Wales, the National Police Operation Centre, stand fast and ready to support should we need that support,' Mr Henderson said.
Meanwhile, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said there is 'no place for thuggery or intimidation' in what was a 'respectful and peaceful vigil' in the town.
The East Belfast MP said the violence reinforces the need for additional funding for the PSNI.
'I echo all those from the area who have spoken out against such acts and called for the justice system to be allowed to take its course in relation to recent incidents,' he said.
"Once again when there is disorder, it is the PSNI who are on the front-line attempting to protect lives and property.
"The Chief Constable has been frank in his assessment of the funding pressures facing the PSNI, and I have been resolute in my support for his call for additional resources. The DUP will continue to advocate for adequate and sustainable funding for policing in Northern Ireland.
'It can be no surprise to anyone that chronic underfunding has real world consequences, and there is an undeniable need to recruit more police officers. We cannot reverse the neglect of policing budgets across recent years overnight, but there must be recognition in government of those pressures and a meaningful intervention to assist.'
During the violence, officers discharged one baton round (AEP) with one rioter struck.
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland said the attack on police officers was 'totally mindless, unacceptable, and feral.'
The alleged victim's family also 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.'
Speaking about the violence, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'The disorder we saw in Ballymena is very concerning.
'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.'
Meanwhile, in the Stormont Assembly on Tuesday afternoon, the aftermath of the disorder was discussed with widespread condemnation, as local DUP MLA Paul Frew saying he 'feared that it was going to happen' after 'a lot of tension in Ballymena over the past number of weeks and months'.
In the Assembly, Mr Frew added: 'It is with a heavy heart that I say that we know people in my home town and the surrounding villages who have been affected grievously over the past 24 hours.
"That is wrong. Violence is wrong. I have fought and campaigned my whole life against violence of every hue. We must condemn the violence of last night.
"That should not dilute the message from the thousands of people who turned up last night in Ballymena to protest against violence against women and girls.'
Alliance Party North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland added: 'What began as a protest — a peaceful protest — with hundreds and hundreds of people lining the streets, sparked by a legitimate concern and by emotion, was quickly overtaken by violence, destruction and fear.
"I condemn, without hesitation or qualification, the violence that erupted. No matter how strong the feeling or how deep the anger or grief, violence is never the answer.
"When law and order break down, it is always the most vulnerable who suffer most. To those responsible, I say this: you did not act in the name of justice. You did not protect your community; you endangered it.
"It is only by the grace of God and the actions of the PSNI and the Fire and Rescue Service last night that we are not looking at something more serious.'
The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, also condemned the violence.
He said: 'The shocking scenes which played out in Ballymena last night have no place in our community.
'The destructiveness and vandalism brought upon our area by a minority of individuals is thoroughly unacceptable and will not be tolerated. What happened is extremely concerning for our residents and communities and I would like to thank the police, emergency services and community partners for their support.
'We stand together with those who have been impacted by the violence and I would call for calm going forward.
'Anyone with information which could assist the police can contact 101.'