Strong condemnation follows violence and disorder on streets of Belfast

Three Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers were injured during the violent protests, with one suffering concussion.

PFNI chair Liam Kelly said officers had showed “professionalism throughout in the face of such hate filled racism and far right thuggery”.

The PSNI said a protest involving around 600 people had formed in the City Hall area on Saturday morning.

Attempts to march to the Belfast Islamic Centre was prevented by officers, but some of those involved in the protest then dispersed into the Botanic Avenue, University Street, Lower Ormeau, Holyland and Donegall Road areas where sporadic violence developed..

“Throughout the course of the evening, further disorder was reported in the Sandy Row area where a business premises was also set on fire,” said the PSNI.

“A number of nearby roads were closed by police to ensure the safety of the public and local residents, and to enable officers to deal with the situation and disorder safely. All roads were subsequently reopened.”

Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said they were dealing with a number of reports of criminal damage, assault, and arson – as well as other related offences.

“So far we have made four arrests for a number of offences including disorderly behaviour, assault on police, taking part in an un-notified procession, riotous behaviour and possession of fireworks without a licence,” he said.

“There were four reports of assault made to police involving members of the public. Serious injuries, thankfully, were not reported.

“Three police officers also sustained injuries as a consequence of this disorder, two officers remained on duty and one officer was relieved from duty after suffering concussion.

“Such attacks on officers are totally unacceptable and I would place on record my gratitude for the professional actions of officers as they dealt with yesterday’s events.”

Mr Beck said to date they have received 13 reports of criminal damage but expect to receive more as the days progress.

“We are continuing to engage with communities across Belfast in this regard,” he said.

“Some of these reports included extensive damage caused to local businesses with windows being broken and damage also caused to vehicles parked in the local community – some of which were burnt out.

“There were also five reports of arson including a bin being set on fire, youths throwing petrol bombs and fire damage to business premises in the Donegall Road area. It was necessary to evacuate an apartment block in a building set on fire, such was the recklessness of the disorder.”

The assistant chief constable added: “We are working hard to identify all those responsible in this criminal disorder and those involved will be dealt with using the full force of the law.

“This disorder, violence and destruction has no place in Belfast or anywhere else across the streets of Northern Ireland.

“I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday’s rioting and disorder to think long and hard about their actions and the devastating impact this has had on local communities.

“Those who engaged in this behaviour bring nothing but shame to themselves and Belfast city.

“Their actions are completely inexcusable and we will be using every tool at our disposal to identify those involved.”

Mr Kelly said “hate-filled racism and far right thuggery ‘are not who we are’ and must stop before innocent people are hurt”.

He said the scenes witnessed in Belfast on Saturday were “disgraceful and totally unacceptable”.

“Innocent people and their businesses were singled out by thugs intent on inflicting damage,” he said. “They were attempting to terrorise good people who have made Northern Ireland their home and have brought a cultural diversity and richness to wider society.

“Once again, our officers were caught up in a dynamic, fast-changing situation in Belfast city centre and elsewhere. They did all they could to curtail the thugs who wanted to do damage and attack businesses owned by people of colour or different religious faiths.

“Our teams showed professionalism throughout in the face of such hate filled racism and far right thuggery. This is not who we are. This is not the Belfast that has made great progress.

“Hate has no place on our streets and it has to stop before is causes further damage or results in innocent people being hurt by the baying mob.”