‘Someone is going to get killed': Appeal issued after six arrested on second night of ‘mindless violence'
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Six people have been arrested and 17 officers injured during a second night of what the PSNI Chief Constable has described as 'mindless violence'.
Calm was restored to the Ballymena area after 1am this morning.
The violence had broken out shortly before 8pm and continued for several hours with masonry and petrol bombs thrown at police officers and police vehicles.
A number of homes and businesses were also attacked.
Police under sustained attack in Ballymena
Police also dealt with sporadic disorder in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus while a car was set alight in north Belfast.
Police and senior political figures led condemnation of the trouble.
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'Someone is going to get killed'
Unionist politicians have appealed for the violence to stop, with North Antrim MLA Paul Frew saying: "I fear that if this continues, someone is going to get killed."
DUP leader Gavin Robinson, speaking on BBC's Nolan Show, told those rioting to 'back off' and 'leave the people of Ballymena alone'.
He called for the violence to stop and referred to the peaceful vigil that preceded violence in the area on Monday night.
'They need to stop. They are destroying their own community, they are intimidating to the point of the end of their neighbours, they are not creating the space to have the arguments around the issues that have bothered them.
'They have lost the entire moral high ground that was attained by the good people of Ballymena on Monday night at their peaceful, respectful and appropriate vigil.'
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she was 'dismayed" by the unfolding events.
'Violence is always wrong. I have been in constant contact throughout last night with PSNI and in contact with local elected representatives,' she said.
"This disorder and violence must stop and justice be allowed to prevail.'
42 minutes ago
Homes attacked in north Belfast
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has condemned attacks on homes in north Belfast last night.
'I am horrified to learn that a number of homes were attacked near the Ballysillan area of north Belfast in suspected racist attacks. My thoughts are with the families affected by this abhorrent act.
'This kind of behaviour is deplorable and must be unequivocally condemned and called out by all political and community representatives.
'I will be contacting the families affected to ensure they receive the support they need, and to reassure them that the vast majority of people in our city warmly embrace the many positives that diversity brings."
A car was also set alight in the area.
43 minutes ago
Alliance MLA condemns 'unacceptable' violence
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland has condemned last night's violence.
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster Programme, she described the incident as 'unacceptable'.
"It's deeply shocking and very disappointing and I have to say it's entirely unacceptable. This violence doesn't speak for Ballymena.
'It distracts from the really serious issue at the heart of this which is violence against women and girls, and that's what we should be talking about, we should be talking about how to make our society safer for women, not how to manage the fallout of violence and intimidation.
"It was just really disturbing, and deeply, deeply worrying.' Sian Mulholland
46 minutes ago
Six arrests made and 17 officers injured
The PSNI has issued an update this morning confirming that six arrests have been made while 17 officers were injured following another night of violence.
Five people were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and remain in police custody this morning.
A male was also arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour on the O'Neill Road in Newtownabbey.
None of those 17 officers were hospitalised as a result of their injuries, although it brings the total number of injured officers across two nights of violence to 33.
Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation, said: "I want to condemn again what has happened the last couple of nights not only in Ballymena but, as we've seen, extended into other areas as well.
"It's completely deplorable that this is happening. We need these attacks to stop, and stop very quickly.'
Chief Constable John Boutcher said the 'mindless violence' of the last two nights 'is deeply concerning and utterly unacceptable.'
He added: 'Ironically, and frustratingly, this violence threatens to derail the very pursuit of justice it claims to challenge.
'Let me be clear: this behaviour must stop. I appeal to everyone involved to cease all further acts of criminality and disorder immediately.'
47 minutes ago
What happened on Tuesday night?
Calm was restored to the Ballymena area after 1am. Disorder broke out shortly before 8pm and continued for several hours with masonry and petrol bombs thrown at police officers and police vehicles.
A number of homes and businesses were also attacked.
During the disorder, a water cannon was deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds, with officers also discharging a number of baton rounds.
Around 300 protestors had gathered in the area, close to where an alleged serious sexual assault on a teenage girl took place.
Police also dealt with sporadic disorder in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus while a car was set alight in north Belfast.
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