PSNI will ‘rigorously pursue’ those involved in Belfast disorder

So far 45 people have been arrested, 35 of whom have been charged with offences linked to these incidents, including those for inciting the disorder through their online activity.

In an update on the investigation, Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said: “Our investigation team continue to rigorously pursue those involved in the recent disorder and violence and we will be relentless in our pursuit of those who are responsible for attacking people and property.

“The investigation team are working through over 3,500 hours of CCTV and body-worn video footage and we are determined that persons who attacking homes and businesses, involved in public disorder and intimidating members of the minority ethnic communities will be brought before the courts.

“The current cost of the policing operation from August 3 is estimated at £3.5 million.

“We have released 19 images of individuals whom we want to talk to in connection with ongoing investigations and nine of those have already been identified.

“We will continue to release further images and I am hopeful that the wider community will continue to help us identify these individuals and stand up against hate crime in all its forms.”

Mr Singleton added: “The ongoing attacks on our minority ethnic communities and associated disorder that we have seen on our streets is completely unacceptable and it is in everybody’s interest – as well as in the interest of justice – that those responsible are dealt with appropriately.

“I would urge anyone who may have information to bring it forward. There is an onus on us all to support those people who may be victims of hate crime, to support our communities impacted by hate, to challenge prejudice and to support police in bringing offenders to justice by making any relevant information available to police.

“Hate crimes and incidents have a devastating impact on victims, their families and communities. It is totally unacceptable that individuals should be targeted simply because of who they are or where they come from.

“Since the beginning of August we have seen some abhorrent scenes of violence and disorder with only one purpose, to incite hatred.

“A total of 20 officers have been injured during the senseless disorder that has seen them attacked with petrol bombs and masonry. This is not acceptable and our officers and staff need the respect and support of the whole of society as they continue to put themselves in harms way to keep our communities safe.”

Mr Singleton said they know that “fear and intimidation” is used to stop people from speaking up about those involved in these incidents.

“We know that some victims do not report hate crime for a variety of reasons,” he said.

“We have worked really hard to reach out to communities across Northern Ireland to increase confidence in policing and to encourage individuals to report to Police.

“Where people report to police they can expect an enhanced level of investigation and supervision of investigations and support.

“We are also alive to the potential involvement of individuals associated with paramilitarism in the recent protests and associated disorder in a number of areas in Northern Ireland.

“We will continue to work with partners and in communities to play our part in trying to eradicate all forms of paramilitary activity and influence.”

Northern Ireland Policing Board chair Mukesh Sharma MBE DL, said: “The Board remains deeply concerned about the ongoing number of racially motivated attacks across the country in the wake of violent anti-immigration riots. This is totally unacceptable.

“Racism is a societal failure that will need to be tackled throughout and at all levels of public life. Tackling it is not solely the responsibility of PSNI, who are often left to pick up the pieces when these insidious ideas have been allowed to take root, grow, and become the kind of violent, targeted attacks we’ve seen in the last few weeks.”