31 arrests made by police investigating disorder in Northern Ireland
Of those arrested, 23 people – including a 13-year-old girl and her mother – have been charged in connection with the violent scenes last week.
The disorder started in Ballymena last Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town last weekend.
Two 14-year-old boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged with attempted rape.
A peaceful protest last Monday evening about the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities.
The PSNI described the scenes as 'racist thuggery'.
The disturbances in the Co Antrim town continued for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine.
While tensions largely abated over the weekend, there were scenes of disorder in Derry on Monday night.
Three officers were injured, with two struck by masonry and one struck by a firework, after police came under attack in the Nailors Row area from around 9.30pm to midnight.
An 18-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and bailed to allow further enquiries to be conducted.
Police said some largely peaceful protests took place on the Shankill Road and Shore Road in west and north Belfast, and on Clonavon Terrace and Waveney Road in Ballymena on Monday night.
In a statement on Tuesday, police said officers investigating an arson attack on Larne Leisure Centre last Wednesday, have charged a 25-year-old man with perverting the course of justice. He was due before Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, police investigating disorder in Portadown last Thursday have charged two men.
A 37-year-old man was charged with two counts of riot and appeared at Lisburn Magistrates' Court on Monday, and a 32-year-old man was charged with one count of riot and was to appear at Craigavon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said police are continuing to review evidence gathered during disorder, and said more arrests are likely.
'Recent days have been calmer. However, this does not mean our investigations into those responsible for the racially-motivated attacks will lose momentum,' he said.
'We are continuing to review our evidence gathered over the days of disorder and are robustly investigating the disorder.
'We will be making more arrests and delivering justice to those responsible for these racially-motivated attacks and associated posts on social media.
'Our heightened presence in towns and cities and engagement will continue as we work to keep people safe.
'Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets. So, just as we will seek justice for women and girls who report heinous crimes to us, we will also seek justice for local innocent families who are being targeted by criminality fuelled by hate.
'We will continue to robustly investigate the disorder over the last number of days but do not want to see any more young people criminalised by being caught up in this activity.'
Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage, can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI25U11-PO1
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Belfast Telegraph
32 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Three officers hurt and 13-year-old arrested after police pelted with fireworks and masonry in Derry
Officers were pelted with debris and fireworks during the disorder, which broke out shortly after 8pm, close to the city walls. A crowd had gathered in the Orchard Row area of the city before police were attacked. The gathering was organised over social media on Monday night. It's understood that several attempts were made to attack homes in the Fountain Estate before police intervened. Videos posted to social media show crowds of youths shooting fireworks at officers in riot gear. In an update this afternoon, police confirmed two arrests have been made. A spokesperson added: 'A second arrest has been made today, 17 June, by police in Derry/Londonderry in connection with disorder in the Nailors Row area of the city last night, 16 June. 'A 13-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour, and has since been released on bail to allow for further police enquiries to be conducted.' Derek Moore of the North West Cultural Partnership, which is based in the Fountain, said issues have been ongoing for six to eight weeks. Meetings have been held with the PSNI, he said, with pressure applied on them and individuals with influence in the Bogside to engage with the young people responsible. It appears to have continued since April, when two Catholic boys were attacked in the Nelson Drive area of the Waterside. At the time that sparked what police described as tit-for-tat "sectarian hate crimes", including a paint bomb attack on a mural in the Fountain estate. Mr Moore said the attacks in recent weeks have been 'low level but constant'. Youths in the Bogside have gathered a large amount of bonfire material at Meenan Square, a short distance from the Fountain. They congregate at the site and Mr Moore said this has then led to youths moving towards the Fountain or gathering on the Derry Walls which overlook the Fountain. The PSNI has been made aware of ongoing incidents but Mr Moore said the police service has been reluctant to act until now. SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan condemned the disorder. He said that three police officers were injured after disturbances in the vicinity of the city's walls. 'It's really disheartening that we have seen a number of disturbances in our city in recent days,' he said. "In this latest incident at Nailor's Row we have seen three police officers injured and my thoughts are with them and I hope they make a quick and full recovery. Police were struck with masonry and fireworks and were lucky to escape even more serious injuries. 'I would urge the people involved in these incidents to stop terrorising their own community. We have seen anti-social behaviour involving young people in this area in the past and those involved are risking a criminal record and their own future in the process. 'I'm also concerned at how social media is being used to promote this activity, turning dangerous incidents into entertainment and encouraging others to join in. As we approach the summer holidays I would encourage parents to make sure they know what their young people are up to and to warn them of the dangers of engaging in this kind of activity. 'Last week we rightly condemned scenes emanating from elsewhere of rioting and the attacking of people and property. The same applies here and now.' A PSNI spokesperson said: 'We are continuing to engage with local representatives and community groups to address reports of anti-social and criminal behaviour in light of incidents reported in the area recently, which have included criminal damage caused to a vehicle in the area on 27th April, and a report of bottles thrown in the area of Bishop Street on 8th May. 'Our neighbourhood team will continue to engage with relevant partners, focusing patrols where they are needed and taking positive action where they can. 'In the meantime, I encourage the community to continue to report crimes or incidents that impact on their quality of life on 101, or 999 in an emergency. "I would also remind anyone who engages in anti-social behaviour of the dangers of getting involved in this type of behaviour and urge them to consider the consequences of their actions. Ultimately, they could end up with a criminal record which may impact their future employment and travel prospects.'
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
More than 30 arrests made by police investigating disorder in Northern Ireland
More than 30 people have been arrested by police investigating recent disorder in Northern Ireland. Of those arrested, 23 people – including a 13-year-old girl and her mother – have been charged in connection with the violent scenes last week. The disorder started in Ballymena last Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town last weekend. Two 14-year-old boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged with attempted rape. A peaceful protest last Monday evening about the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities. The PSNI described the scenes as 'racist thuggery'. The disturbances in the Co Antrim town continued for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine. Police said some largely peaceful protests took place on the Shankill Road and Shore Road in west and north Belfast, and in Clonavon Terrace and Waveney Road in Ballymena on Monday night. In a statement on Tuesday, police said officers investigating an arson attack on Larne Leisure Centre last Wednesday, have charged a 25-year-old man with perverting the course of justice. He was due before Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. Meanwhile, police investigating disorder in Portadown last Thursday have charged two men. A 37-year-old man was charged with two counts of riot and appeared at Lisburn Magistrates' Court on Monday, and a 32-year-old man was charged with one count of riot and was to appear at Craigavon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said police are continuing to review evidence gathered during disorder, and said more arrests are likely. 'Recent days have been calmer. However, this does not mean our investigations into those responsible for the racially-motivated attacks will lose momentum,' he said. 'We are continuing to review our evidence gathered over the days of disorder and are robustly investigating the disorder. 'We will be making more arrests and delivering justice to those responsible for these racially-motivated attacks and associated posts on social media. 'Our heightened presence in towns and cities and engagement will continue as we work to keep people safe. 'Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets. So, just as we will seek justice for women and girls who report heinous crimes to us, we will also seek justice for local innocent families who are being targeted by criminality fuelled by hate. 'We will continue to robustly investigate the disorder over the last number of days but do not want to see any more young people criminalised by being caught up in this activity.' Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage, can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal at
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
More than 30 arrests made by police investigating disorder in Northern Ireland
Of those arrested, 23 people – including a 13-year-old girl and her mother – have been charged in connection with the violent scenes last week. The disorder started in Ballymena last Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town last weekend. Two 14-year-old boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged with attempted rape. A peaceful protest last Monday evening about the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities. The PSNI described the scenes as 'racist thuggery'. The disturbances in the Co Antrim town continued for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine. Police said some largely peaceful protests took place on the Shankill Road and Shore Road in west and north Belfast, and in Clonavon Terrace and Waveney Road in Ballymena on Monday night. In a statement on Tuesday, police said officers investigating an arson attack on Larne Leisure Centre last Wednesday, have charged a 25-year-old man with perverting the course of justice. He was due before Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. Meanwhile, police investigating disorder in Portadown last Thursday have charged two men. A 37-year-old man was charged with two counts of riot and appeared at Lisburn Magistrates' Court on Monday, and a 32-year-old man was charged with one count of riot and was to appear at Craigavon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said police are continuing to review evidence gathered during disorder, and said more arrests are likely. 'Recent days have been calmer. However, this does not mean our investigations into those responsible for the racially-motivated attacks will lose momentum,' he said. 'We are continuing to review our evidence gathered over the days of disorder and are robustly investigating the disorder. 'We will be making more arrests and delivering justice to those responsible for these racially-motivated attacks and associated posts on social media. 'Our heightened presence in towns and cities and engagement will continue as we work to keep people safe. 'Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets. So, just as we will seek justice for women and girls who report heinous crimes to us, we will also seek justice for local innocent families who are being targeted by criminality fuelled by hate. 'We will continue to robustly investigate the disorder over the last number of days but do not want to see any more young people criminalised by being caught up in this activity.' Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage, can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal at
