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In response to two days of violent unrest, the Northern Ireland police have deployed additional officers into affected areas, stated Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson. The turmoil, primarily centered in Ballymena, resulted in 32 officers getting injured and six people arrested. Beginning with a peaceful protest concerning an alleged sexual assault in County Antrim, the disorder escalated rapidly.
ACC Henderson characterized the violence as “racist thuggery aimed at ethnic minorities and law enforcement officers.” He emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, with all incident footage under review for potential prosecution. In collaboration with Police Scotland, Northern Ireland police have requested mutual aid support, with an unspecified number of public order officers set to help quell the unrest in affected regions.
The impact of the disturbances on communities and law enforcement resources was emphasized by Henderson, who stressed the repercussions for those engaging in violent behavior. The chaos, which extended to locations like Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey, saw homes and vehicles attacked. Several individuals were charged in connection with the disorder, which included the throwing of petrol bombs and heavy objects at police officers over multiple hours in Ballymena.
Witnessing the destruction wrought by the violence, residents like Mika Kolev contemplated fleeing their homes, with concerns about the safety of their families. The turmoil prompted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to condemn the violence, while First Minister Michelle O’Neill labeled the events as “pure racism.” Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly spoke against the violence’s detrimental impact on communities, echoing the sentiment expressed by PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, who decried the disorder as “mindless violence” that jeopardized both lives and the pursuit of justice
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