PSNI release images of four people detectives wish to question in relation to race riots in NI

Belfast Telegraph

2 days ago

Dozens of officers have been injured in what has been dubbed a 'week of shame' after disorder began in Ballymena on Monday and spread to other parts of the region.
It followed an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said large scale police deployments were visible across NI last night including in Portadown where officers came under 'significant and sustained attack' from rioters.
'Today, in the latest phase of our investigation, we are releasing the images of four individuals we want to identify and interview in connection with our ongoing investigation into the disorder of the past days," he added.
'In releasing these images, I am asking the wider community to step forward and help us to identify these individuals. It is in all of our interests, and in the interests of justice, that those responsible are dealt with and I would urge anyone who may have information to bring it forward.
'If you are able to identify any of the people shown in these images or can provide information about them should contact us on 101 or on our major incident portal, which is accessible on our website.'
There have 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 Co Armagh town on Thursday.
ACC Henderson said the disorder was brought under control using a range of public order tactics and by making proactive arrests.
'Over the course of the 4 nights violence 63 officer have been injured. Many of those officers stayed on the line despite their injuries. I commend their bravery and determination. These are men and women working to protect their communities and the attacks against them must stop," he said.
'Some of those perpetrating this violence claim to be protecting women and girls. This is simply not true, they are criminal acts. Destroying and vandalising local communities do not make our towns safer for women and girls and to claim otherwise is nonsense. Tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and we will work hard for justice for any reporting female.
'To those posting hate on social media, inciting disorder or being seen to commit disorder we are actively investigating what you have said and what you have been captured doing.'
The senior police officer promised a large policing presence across NI over the weekend as he welcomed a peaceful night in Ballymena on Thursday.
'This will include the deployment of Mutual Aid resources from Scotland and we are grateful to Chief Constable Farrell and her colleagues for their support. These officers, trained to work in our environment, will be working side by side with their PSNI colleagues at various locations as part of our policing operation," Mr Henderson continued.
'Finally, I would reiterate my appeal for calm in the days ahead. Let Northern Ireland return to normal and start the process of recovery.'
'If you have any information or wish to submit photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, this can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal.'
A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.