Petrol bombs and fireworks launched at police as Ballymena riots spread across Northern Ireland in fifth night of violence after ‘alleged attempted rape of local girl, 16, by two Romanian teens’

Fireworks and petrol bombs were fired at police as anti-immigration riots in Ballymena continued to spread across Northern Ireland.

Crowds of masked thugs gathered in Portadown on the fifth night of violence that have allegedly stemmed from two teenagers of Romanian descent appearing in court accused of attempting to rape a local girl.

Huge clouds of smoke were seen in the area where a protest had been held earlier in the evening before it descended into carnage.

Officers in riot gear rushed to the scene while hooded thugs were seen hauling a huge branch across a road towards a line of police vans.

The ‘significant and sustained attack’ demanded the need of more officers, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said, emphasising that ‘destroying and vandalising local communities do not make our towns safer for women and girls and to claim otherwise is nonsense’.

The violence that was livestreamed on TikTok came only hours after a senior PSNI officer said cops are actively investigating ‘those posting hate on social media’, according to the Belfast Telegraph.

An ‘unprecedented’ number of people no longer feel safe in their homes, Northern Ireland’s Housing Executive chief added.

Only yesterday did a family with young children in Coleraine have to be evacuated after their house had been set ablaze.

One cop was seen engulfed in flames after facing attacks from an anti-immigration mob

Fireworks and petrol bombs have been fired at police in Northern Ireland after anti-immigration riots in Ballymena have continued to spread

Hooded thugs were seen hauling a huge branch across a road towards a line of police vans

Petrol bombs were seen hurled at riot police by masked thugs

The County Armagh saw around 400 protesters gather as people were seen setting fires and causing damage to a derelict building.

So far, 63 officers have been injured, with Liam Kelly, Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, describing the violence as a ‘week of shame’.

There has been ‘no intelligence’ of paramilitary involvement, ACC Henderson added, confirming there will be a ‘large police presence around the country’ this weekend.

ACC Henderson also said: ‘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.

‘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.

A rioter walks past flames as PSNI officers in riot gear respond to a third night of civil unrest on June 11

A vehicle burns as PSNI riot squad officers battled protesters throwing projectiles on June 10 in Ballymena

Homes were set on fire, including one thought to be linked to the alleged perpetrators (not pictured)

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire started by protesters in a house during a second night of riots

PSNI riot squad officers form a blockade on Harryville bridge in Ballymena to stop potential rioters from accessing the Clonavon terrace area

‘Destroying and vandalising local communities do not make our towns safer for women and girls and to claim otherwise is nonsense’, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said

‘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 family of the girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted has pleaded with rioters to end the violence after nights of chaos yesterday. 

Northern Ireland’s police chief Jon Boutcher said the young girl had been ‘further traumatised’ by the rioting, adding that 80 officers from Scotland were due to arrive to help with future riots.

‘Stop this violence,’ Mr Boutcher said on Thursday. ‘We will come after you. We will arrest you. We will prosecute you successfully. It is not in any way a way for a civilised society to behave and it must stop now.

‘I want to specifically mention the 41 police officers who’ve been injured. Each of those officers have put themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities.

‘And I want to send a very clear message to all our diverse communities: we stand absolutely shoulder to shoulder with you. We are here to protect you.

‘We are your police service, and these bigots and racists will not win the day. This will be policed properly. We will deal with this – and we all know that in this room – but let’s call an end to it now.

‘This girl’s family and this girl want it to end. Our communities want it to end. We need it to end. So please don’t come out on the streets tonight. If you do, we will police you and we will deal with you through the criminal justice system.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Jon Boutcher speaks to media following three nights of disorder in Ballymena

Fires have been seen burning in Portadown in the fourth night of violence

Police in Portadown in County Armagh this evening, following three nights of disorder in Ballymena

Michael Elliott, 18, appeared in court today where he faced charges relating to the disorder in Ballymena

Properties in Ballymena with signs saying locals live here as violence has been directed towards migrant communities

Mr Boutcher added that he would ‘always be concerned’ the unrest would spread to other towns.

After the warning, there were some tense scenes in Portadown as masked individuals hurled masonry and other objects at riot police later into the night.

As of Thursday, three teenagers have appeared in court in connection with riots this week.

PSNI also released images of four people they need help in identifying so they can be quizzed over their relation to the riots. 

ACC Henderson said: ‘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.’

Earlier this week, a number of houses were torched in Co Antrim as a masked mob lit curtains after windows and doors of terraced properties in the town were caved in.

PSNI also released images of four people they need help in identifying so they can be quizzed over their relation to the riots

ACC Henderson said: ‘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’

So far, 63 officers have been injured, with Liam Kelly, Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, describing the violence as a ‘week of shame’

An ‘unprecedented’ number of people no longer feel safe in their homes, Northern Ireland’s Housing Executive chief added

A resident clearing debris Portadown in County Armagh, following three nights of disorder in Ballymena

A person wears a Union Jack flag and stands near armed police in Portadown on Thursday

Four houses were destroyed after 2,500 people gathered in the Harryville area of Ballymena on Monday evening.

Two more properties were also damaged and 15 police officers hospitalised in the Ballymena riots. 

Police have said the violence is being investigated as racially-motivated hate attacks.

Locals had marched through the area claiming they were there in a show of support to the family of the local girl who was allegedly sexually abused by two teenagers who needed a Romanian interpreter in court yesterday.

Some peaceful protesters carried placards saying they were there to ‘protect’ their own children.

But rioting then broke out. Barricades were erected and fires lit. Some masked youths yelled ‘paedo-protectors’ as the emergency services arrived to battle blazes they had started. Houses were attacked and a boat was even overturned in the street.

The protest was organised hours after two 14-year-old boys had appeared in court over the serious sexual assault on a teenage girl from the town.

The suspects confirmed their names and ages through a Romanian interpreter at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning. Their lawyer indicated they would plead not guilty.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said on Tuesday: ‘The disorder we saw in Ballymena is very concerning. 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.

‘The PSNI and the justice system must be allowed to carry out their jobs. Our thoughts are with the victims of the assault as well as the police officers who were injured.’

He added: ‘Ministers and colleagues are in touch with counterparts.’

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