Latest news with #LiamKelly
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Tough action needed to halt level of attacks on police in NI, federation warns
Legislators and courts need to take 'tough and decisive action' to counter the 'shocking and appalling' toll of attacks on police officers, the Police Federation for Northern Ireland has said. The federation, which represents rank-and-file Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers, said nine officers on average are being assaulted every day in the region. During recent unrest in Northern Ireland, a total of 87 officers were injured, with some treated in hospital. However, the federation has highlighted that officers deal with the daily risk of assault which often leads to injury and time off work, placing additional pressure on serving colleagues. It has launched the 'Let Them Protect' public campaign, backed by PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and Justice Minister Naomi Long. Federation chairman Liam Kelly said the nine-a-day figure was conservative as many officers who suffer more minor assaults do not report them. He said: 'These figures are shocking and appalling. It's high time we saw a much tougher approach with assailants who strike, kick, punch and spit at our colleagues. 'We want the public to realise the full extent of what our officers – themselves fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters – have to suffer. 'It's not right they should end up in hospital with injuries they sustain while protecting the community.' Mr Kelly added: 'Decisive and tough sentences handed down by magistrates and judges will deter those who assault our police officers. 'Sentencing guidelines must be strengthened to empower the courts, to implement an effective deterrent.' Ms Long said police officers in Northern Ireland demonstrate 'extraordinary courage' every day. But she added: 'Shockingly, some people still feel that it is OK to attack or assault a police officer or that it's simply part of the job. 'That is not an acceptable attitude towards any other member of society and is certainly not an acceptable manner to treat those who uphold the rule of law and place themselves in harm's way to protect others.' She added: 'I am committed to introducing stronger legislation to protect police officers and staff and will include a new offence, with a higher maximum penalty, for assaulting a person who is providing a service to the public, performing a public duty or delivering a public service in the Sentencing Bill. 'I hope to introduce this legislation to the Assembly in the autumn of this year.' Chief Constable Mr Boutcher said: 'Policing is a tough profession and the officers and staff of the police service who stand up to serve the people of Northern Ireland deserve nothing but our admiration and respect. 'Every one of them does a vital job and whilst they come to work knowing that on any given day they could be faced with difficult and dangerous situations, what we should never accept, is for them to be physically assaulted. 'Being attacked should never be thought of as part of anyone's 'normal day' at work.' Mr Boutcher said the public cannot continue to take policing for granted. He said: ' Support for policing, and for our police officers, needs to be society-wide, and it should be recognised and understood that it is simply not acceptable to assault or attack police officers. 'We cannot, and will not, simply stand by and accept it.' Policing Board chairman Mukesh Sharma said: ' Police officers step forward when others step back. 'They put their lives on the line for others every day and they do not deserve to come to work to be kicked, bitten or assaulted in any other way. 'Regrettably, figures show that officer assaults are no longer isolated incidents and should not be tolerated.' After Thursday's launch event at Stormont, Mr Boutcher and Northern Ireland's Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Herron issued a joint statement on the recent disorder. They said: 'The actions of these offenders are unacceptable and we can assure the public that those found to be responsible will be met with the full force of the criminal law. That includes those responsible for malicious attacks on victims, and on police officers subjected to intolerable physical and verbal abuse. 'To meet this shared determination, there has been and will continue to be close engagement between our two organisations. Police investigators and prosecutors are ensuring that offences are being investigated, and files submitted to the PPS for prosecution decision, as quickly as possible. 'A robust, collaborative approach is being taken to ensure that identified offenders will face full consequences for their actions. There should be no doubt for any individual found to have taken part in public disorder, that the consequences are serious. 'As well as prosecution for relevant public order offences, we can assure our communities and the police officers who help keep them safe, that where there is evidence of assaults on police or a hate crime motivation, this will be put before the courts as aggravating factors and appropriate sentences pursued. 'The violent scenes of recent weeks have endangered lives and property, homes and families. Those responsible, who have spread fear and threatened public safety, will not be tolerated.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tough action needed to halt level of attacks on police in NI, federation warns
Legislators and courts need to take 'tough and decisive action' to counter the 'shocking and appalling' toll of attacks on police officers, the Police Federation for Northern Ireland has said. The federation, which represents rank-and-file Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers, said nine officers on average are being assaulted every day in the region. During recent unrest in Northern Ireland, more than 70 officers have been injured, with some treated in hospital. However, the federation has highlighted that officers deal with the daily risk of assault which often leads to injury and time off work, placing additional pressure on serving colleagues. It has launched the 'Let Them Protect' public campaign, backed by PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and Justice Minister Naomi Long. Federation chairman Liam Kelly said the nine-a-day figure was conservative as many officers who suffer more minor assaults do not report them. He said: 'These figures are shocking and appalling. It's high time we saw a much tougher approach with assailants who strike, kick, punch and spit at our colleagues. 'We want the public to realise the full extent of what our officers – themselves fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters – have to suffer. 'It's not right they should end up in hospital with injuries they sustain while protecting the community.' Mr Kelly added: 'Decisive and tough sentences handed down by magistrates and judges will deter those who assault our police officers. 'Sentencing guidelines must be strengthened to empower the courts, to implement an effective deterrent.' Ms Long said police officers in Northern Ireland demonstrate 'extraordinary courage' every day. But she added: 'Shockingly, some people still feel that it is OK to attack or assault a police officer or that it's simply part of the job. 'That is not an acceptable attitude towards any other member of society and is certainly not an acceptable manner to treat those who uphold the rule of law and place themselves in harm's way to protect others.' She added: 'I am committed to introducing stronger legislation to protect police officers and staff and will include a new offence, with a higher maximum penalty, for assaulting a person who is providing a service to the public, performing a public duty or delivering a public service in the Sentencing Bill. 'I hope to introduce this legislation to the Assembly in the autumn of this year.' Chief Constable Mr Boutcher said: 'Policing is a tough profession and the officers and staff of the police service who stand up to serve the people of Northern Ireland deserve nothing but our admiration and respect. 'Every one of them does a vital job and whilst they come to work knowing that on any given day they could be faced with difficult and dangerous situations, what we should never accept, is for them to be physically assaulted. 'Being attacked should never be thought of as part of anyone's 'normal day' at work.' Mr Boutcher said the public cannot continue to take policing for granted. He said: 'Support for policing, and for our police officers, needs to be society-wide, and it should be recognised and understood that it is simply not acceptable to assault or attack police officers. 'We cannot, and will not, simply stand by and accept it.' Policing Board chairman Mukesh Sharma said: 'Police officers step forward when others step back. 'They put their lives on the line for others every day and they do not deserve to come to work to be kicked, bitten or assaulted in any other way. 'Regrettably, figures show that officer assaults are no longer isolated incidents and should not be tolerated.'
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
PSNI: 'Attacks on police should not be part of the job'
Nine police officers are assaulted every day in Northern Ireland, according to the Police Federation of Northern Ireland (PFNI). The organisation said assaults on officers can have knock-on effects for victims of crime and the community. It comes after 64 police officers were injured over a number of nights of violence across Northern Ireland, as petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks were thrown at Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said officers being attacked "should never be thought of as part of anyone's normal day at work". Chairman of the PFNI, Liam Kelly, said the organisation wants "decisive and tough sentences" from the legislators and courts for those who assault officers. He said nine officers a day being assaulted was a "conservative" figure as more officers who suffer minor assaults do not report them. "These figures are shocking and appalling. It's high time we saw a much tougher approach with assailants who strike, kick, punch and spit at our colleagues," said Mr the campaign "Let Them Protect", Mr Kelly said: "We want the public to realise the full extent of what our officers - themselves fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters - have to suffer. It's not right they should end up in hospital with injuries they sustain while protecting the community." Mr Boutcher said policing was a "tough" and "vital" job where officers face "difficult and dangerous situations" but should never be physically assaulted. He said support for policing and officers needs to be "society wide" and recognised that "it is simply not acceptable to assault or attack police officers". "We cannot, and will not, simply stand by and accept it." The Justice Minister said that as a society we need to "move away from the idea that police officers should somehow just price this into the job they do".Naomi Long said it was "not acceptable that officers come under this kind of their lives are put at risk by being physically assaulted and attacked". She added that attacks on police officers should be taken "seriously" and cannot become a "recreational pastime where people bombard the police with petrol bombs or masonry" as it "causes long-term damage". The Chair of the Policing Board Mukesh Sharma said being attacked was not anybody's "normal day" at work and added that "nor should it be". Mr Sharma added that officers "step forward when others step back" putting their lives "on the line for others every day" and do not deserve to come to work to be "kicked, bitten or assaulted in any other way".
Belfast Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Unprecedented' number of families feel unsafe after four nights of violence that left 63 officers injured
Chair of Police Federation says 63 officers injured in 'week of shame' Liam Kelly, Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, says 63 officers have been injured during what he calls a 'week of shame' with appalling levels of unrest in towns and cities. Mr Kelly said: "Yet again, our overstretched police officers have also been attacked with petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks as they sought to keep people safe and maintain law and order." Mr Kelly said that since violence erupted officers "have held the line with great courage and professionalism and are owed a debt of gratitude by this community". "They went to the aid of vulnerable people, have prevented further savage attacks and have undoubtedly saved lives," he continued. Mr Kelly wished the 63 injured officers a "speedy recovery" and called for attacks on officers to stop. 'This has been a week of shame with hate-filled rioters turning our streets into battle zones targeting people and property simply because of their perceived nationality or the colour of their skin," he added. 'They didn't care who they hurt. Fathers, mothers and young children were their targets. They have damaged Northern Ireland's image and done an enormous disservice to all of us." Mr Kelly said additional resources have been secured under Mutual Aid and that officers will continue to police "our society without fear or favour and all persons". 'As we head into the weekend, I would once again appeal for calm," he said. "Bringing violence, fear and uncertainty to our streets is totally unacceptable and must stop. 'I would ask all parents to speak with their children, know where they are going in the evenings, and actively encourage them to be civically responsible. " DUP MP expresses concerns over 'policing operation' in Portadown DUP MP Carla Lockhart has expressed her "very real concerns" over how the "policing operation" was carried out in Portadown on Thursday night and has requested a meeting with local policing commanders. Ms Lockhart posted on Facebook on Friday urging people to "keep calm heads" and said "violence is not the answer". "The hypocrisy of those with convictions for serious crimes and acts of terrorism, or who celebrate those who committed these acts of terror, now attempting to lecture others on right and wrong is not lost on the wider community, and is certainly not helpful," she said. "There are very real concerns about how last night's policing operation was carried out. "Having been on the ground last night, I have requested an urgent meeting with the local police commanders to raise these concerns directly. "There must be accountability and a clear understanding of how this situation unfolded, so that future policing operations are proportionate, responsible, and respectful of the communities they affect. "I do understand that policing on occasions has to react to what is unfolding and my thoughts are with the officers on the ground, who bear the brunt of this and are simply following orders, some whom were injured carrying out their duties. "Violence and attacks on the police are not the way forward." Today 10:03 AM Violence in Portadown deplorable and unacceptable, says MLA Alliance Upper Bann MLA Eóin Tennyson has said those who engaged in violence in Portadown overnight do not represent the vast majority of people in the town. Officers came under attack with heavy masonry, fireworks and beer kegs in the area last night. A police spokesperson said 22 officers were injured and two people were arrested. 'Whilst the violence in Portadown was on a smaller scale than that witnessed in other parts of Northern Ireland, it was no less deplorable and unacceptable,' said the Alliance Deputy Leader. 'Those responsible for this racist thuggery do not speak for the majority of people in our community. 'No family should ever have to leave their home out of fear for their own safety. My solidarity and support is with our migrant and ethnic minority communities at what I know is an incredibly worrying time. 'I am grateful to the PSNI for their strong response and my thoughts are with the officers who were injured in the course of their duties. 'There is no place for racism, hate or division in Portadown or anywhere else in Northern Ireland. "All those in positions of leadership and responsibility must now use any influence they can to ensure we do not see a repeat of these scenes again." Today 09:58 AM 'Unprecedented number of families feel unsafe in their home' says NI Housing Executive chief The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has said that around 50 households in Northern Ireland have received assistance after rioting broke out in Ballymena earlier this week. Around 14 families have also been provided with emergency accommodation. On Thursday night a family with young children had to be evacuated from their home in Coleraine following a fire. The PSNI are treating the fire as a racially-motivated hate crime. NIHE chief executive, Grainia Long, said she expects the number of people seeking help to rise. Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme, Ms Long described the last week as "extraordinary", saying there is an "unprecedented number of families locally who feel it is unsafe to stay in their home". "Demand is extremely high, and it has been one of those weeks where everyone has had to move very quickly to respond. "We do expect the numbers to increase as households make decisions about what is safe for them." She added that NIHE staff "have been out on the ground, supporting communities, working within them and ensuring their safety", as well as "working with older people who are scared and asking questions about their safety". Health Minister Mike Nesbitt: 'without our international colleagues, the health service would collapse' Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has condemned the recent racist violence and said that it has left international colleagues working throughout the Health & Social Care system in Northern Ireland "frightened and vulnerable". 'It is well accepted within Health and Social Care that without our international colleagues, the health service would collapse," he said. 'The international recruits who arrive to work here across our HSC system provide an immensely valuable contribution to the delivery of health and social care services and enrich our communities with their diversity. 'Since taking up the post of Health Minister last year, I have had the privilege of meeting healthcare staff right across Northern Ireland, including many of our internationally recruited colleagues who have brought their skills, experience and expertise to our health service. They are greatly needed, very much appreciated and highly valued. They are deeply welcome here and their health, safety and wellbeing are of paramount importance. 'People should be entitled to live in peace, free from harm and intimidation, and I stand against this reprehensible, racist and xenophobic behaviour.' Today 09:16 AM 'Emergency rally against racist riots' to be held tomorrow in Belfast The event has been called by United Against Racism (UAR)and will take place at 12pm at Belfast City Hall. Speaking ahead of the rally, UAR Chair Ivanka Antova said: "The racist riots we have witnessed have spread fear across our communities and posed a direct threat to the life of migrants. "United Against Racism will not stand by while far-right agitators whip up such violence. We know that the vast majority of people are anti-racist and abhor racist hatred. "We are calling on those people, on the trade unions who represent a growing migrant workforce, and all progressive forces to join us to send a clear and resolute message against racism and racist violence." Today 08:57 AM Church of Ireland leader says damage from unrest 'cannot simply be swept away' Church of Ireland Archbishop John McDowell said that the recent disorder in towns across the region are "a source of great shame for Northern Ireland." "Hiding behind the figment of 'legitimate concerns' but in fact motivated by crude racism, groups of young men (and the shadowy and unaccountable people who control them) planned and carried out attacks on civil society and on democracy. The damage they have caused is not just material; it cannot be simply swept away," he said. "We should put ourselves in the shoes of someone trapped inside a house or a hostel while an angry mob gathers outside. It must be utterly terrifying. Imagine the lasting impact of such terror on a child. "The people who are the target of such squalid protests have come to this country to make a new life and to make a living. Just as we would rightly refuse to be judged by the criminal actions of any individual who happens to be from the same nationality or ethnicity as us, so we should question those who do so of others." Today 08:26 AM The PSNI has condemned a fourth consecutive night of disorder - with more arrests and officers injured. In a statement the PSNI said there was "significant disorder and violence in Portadown over a number of hours" with officers coming under sustained attack with heavy masonry and fireworks thrown in their direction. Twenty-two officers were injured. They said officers used various public order tactics and there were no reports of injury to the public or damage to property. Two arrests were made in Portadown – a woman in her 50s and a man in his 30s - on suspicion of riotous behaviour and other offences in connection with the disorder. The PSNI said there was protests reported in Belfast – these were mainly peaceful – with travel disrupted in the Templemore Avenue area of east Belfast for a short time. Bricks were thrown through the windows of two houses in the Avoniel Road in a racially-motivated attack. There was a protest at Carrick roundabout and a small fire at the Manse Road roundabout in Newtownabbey. With reports of anti-immigration hate graffiti being investigated in Newtownards. Police said a house fire in the Mount Street area of Coleraine is being treated as deliberate and a racially-motivated hate crime. A family with three young children were evacuated from this property. Meanwhile, Ballymena "did not witness the disgraceful scenes of rioting as previous nights". Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: 'Last night in Portadown police came under sustained attack from rioters throwing masonry and other missiles. Officers deployed a variety of public order tactics to restore order to the town as quickly as possible. 'Twenty-two officers were injured and I am so grateful to them for their bravery and selfless dedication in protecting the community of Portadown from this criminality. 'We saw calm in Ballymena and I hope the powerful words of the family who asked for calm during this really difficult time were heard and continue to be heard over the coming days. 'Two arrests were made in Portadown last night and more will follow. "I repeat, once more, our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days." Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal at Today 08:17 AM Nigel Farage weighs in on 'ugly' unrest in Ballymena The Reform UK leader said the riots in Ballymena were 'ugly', but claimed his warnings about immigration had been ignored. Speaking on GB News, Mr Farage said: 'The Ballymena riots. They are ugly. Houses being torched, people actually putting in their windows what their identity is. 'No-one on this channel will condone in any way at all what has taken place. 'However angry you are, why on earth would you destroy what actually looks like a rather modern, well-built community asset? It's just insanity.' But the Clacton MP claimed that unrest could have been avoided if his warnings on immigration had been taken seriously. 'I said, 'Be careful. Get immigration numbers substantially lower. Don't allow people who come illegally to stay,' he said. Today 08:12 AM TUV MLA claims Ballymena violence was due to 'people's concerns not being listened to' TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said that the reasons behind the recent violence in Ballymena this week was due to people 'not being listened to' over issues on immigration. 'What we've seen over the past number of nights on our streets has been deplorable, but this was always going to happen, simply because people's concerns have not been listened to these past number of years,' he said on the BBC's Good Morning Ulster. 'There is an undercurrent here within the community where the community feels it hasn't been listened to, and that has been allowed to fester and sadly it has manifested itself in the scenes we have seen over the last number of days, and that is disappointing.' Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson hit back at Mr Gaston's claims and said: 'You cannot contextualise or explain away what has happened, what has been wanton racist violence. 'The people who have engaged in violence are racist thugs, no ifs, no buts, and I think it's time we see leadership in all political parties in calling that out rather than trying to conflate what are two very distinct and separate issues.' Today 08:02 AM Portadown: 'Children are frightened they might be killed' Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson said that children were telling their teachers in school that they were afraid they would be killed. Speaking on Friday's BBC Good Morning Ulster, he said that, although he is 'relieved' the violence in Portadown on Thursday night was on a smaller scale than what was seen in Ballymena, it was still 'deplorable'. 'I'm also deeply concerned at most of the racist sentiment surrounding those protesting,' he said. 'Just because the violence was on a smaller scale doesn't diminish the impact that I know this event has had on our ethnic and minority community in Portadown. 'Many people felt that they had no option but to leave their homes for their own safety. 'Speaking to a local school, children were going in talking to their teachers about how scared they were and how they were frightened they might be killed or burnt out of their homes. 'That carries a huge psychological impact to primary school age children.' Today 07:47 AM Doug Beattie: 'This was about anarchy' Former UUP leader Doug Beattie said that the recent rioting in Portadown, where police came under attack for a fourth night, was 'not about safeguarding women'. Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster on Friday, Mr Beattie said: : 'None of this was about safeguarding women and girls in our society, this was about disorder, this was about anarchy, this was about people having a go at the police. 'Without a doubt there are people hellbent on using this to attack the police and it has to stop.'
The Guardian
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Thursday briefing: What sparked days of racially charged violence in Northern Ireland
Good morning. Over the past three nights, Ballymena, Northern Ireland, has been rocked by riots. At least 17 police officers have been injured, while homes, businesses and vehicles have also been damaged. The unrest erupted after a vigil on Monday for a teenage girl allegedly sexually assaulted by two 14-year-old boys. The boys had appeared in court earlier that day and were charged with attempted rape, where a Romanian interpreter read them the charges. Police said the unrest escalated into racially motivated violence, with mobs targeting foreign residents in the County Antrim town. They broke windows and tried to set fire to curtains, leaving families terrified in their homes. On Wednesday, a fire broke out at a leisure centre during a third night of disorder. Smaller protests took place on Tuesday night in Lisburn, Coleraine, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus and Belfast. In one video shared online, a woman tells the rioters: 'Be careful, lads.' A man then informs her there were people living in one of the houses being attacked. She replied: 'Aye, but are they local? If they're local, they need out. If they're not local, let them fucking stay there.' Liam Kelly, the chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, which represents officers, said police prevented 'a pogrom with consequences too painful to contemplate'. For today's newsletter, I spoke to Rory Carroll, the Guardian's Ireland correspondent who was on the ground in Ballymena, about what we know so far about the violence, long simmering tensions around immigration and what the area is bracing for next. That's after the headlines. UK politics | Rachel Reeves has pledged to ensure 'working people are better off' and invest billions into energy, housing, transport and infrastructure after the government's spending review announcement. US news | Los Angeles police made more than 300 arrests as protesters defied an overnight curfew imposed after Donald Trump's crackdown against demonstrations. Israel-Gaza war | Israeli forces killed at least 60 Palestinians in Gaza on Wednesday, most of them as they were seeking food from a US-Israeli distribution scheme, according to local health authorities. Austria | A 21-year-old former student who shot dead 10 people including pupils and a teacher at his former school in Austria before killing himself had planned to detonate a homemade explosive there, police have said. Music | Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys musician, songwriter and producer who created some of pop's most beautiful and groundbreaking songs, has died aged 82. Before the Good Friday agreement in 1998, there was very little immigration to Northern Ireland, Rory Carroll tells me. The Troubles and the wider history of the area meant it wasn't really a destination for migrants, but after the peace process, immigration crept upwards – slowly at first and from a very low base. About 293,000 long-term international migrants are estimated to have arrived in Northern Ireland between the years 2001 and 2023, according to Northern Ireland assembly research published this year. The latest census in 2021 shows that about 3.4% of Northern Ireland's population are from a minority ethnic background – compared with 18.3% in England and Wales, and 12.9% in Scotland – making it the least diverse region in the UK. 'People here feel it happened very quickly,' Rory says. 'Some areas have seen a significant number of arrivals, including parts of Belfast, and also here in Ballymena, which is largely a working-class, loyalist area. There are a cluster of streets where a lot of migrants have ended up, particularly from eastern Europe. There has been resentment.' Rory spent much of yesterday speaking to residents, who told him they were 'overwhelmed', or 'being overrun'. While there is some acknowledgment that 'many of the migrants bring skills and do good things in terms of opening businesses, and might be their friends, they say others are causing lots of problems, and that they feel that politicians, public representatives, and the police are not heeding their complaints'. Rory says that the grievances are twofold: one, that some migrants are 'freeloading' off taxpayer-funded services, and two, that they're involved in crime. The perception is that these problems are being ignored by the authorities. The similarities to last year's anti-immigrant riots The clashes in Ballymena feel similar to last summer's anti-immigrant riots that spread across England and parts of Northern Ireland. Rory covered the rioting in Belfast last summer, in the loyalist area of Sandy Row. Foreign-owned businesses there were targeted for attacks, looting and intimidation. 'It was a similar story that you hear in Ballymena,' he says. 'Local, long-term residents not exclusively but largely, white, loyalist, Protestant working class feel that they had an influx of foreigners, many of them non-white, and that no one consulted them about it and that the identity of their local area has been changed.' There was a crucial difference this time, Rory adds, as the latest riots in Ballymena were in response to a specific local alleged crime: two 14-year-old boys, charged with attempted rape. 'People are extrapolating from that and saying it's just the tip of the iceberg,' he says. In Ballymena, many talked about their communities being left behind, similar to the rhetoric we hear around England's 'red wall' seats – and while they've had industrial decline and some economic hardship, 'the statistics tell a more complex story' when it comes to Northern Ireland, Rory says. 'Northern Ireland gets a lot of subsidies from the rest of the UK and has lower housing costs and lower cost of living. The sense of alienation and grievance and the perception of being forgotten and left behind is very real, but in terms of poverty and extreme poverty, those rates are actually worse in northern England than the average similar equivalent rates here in Northern Ireland.' What are people saying on the ground? The situation in Ballymena is grim. Immigrant families who live in the cluster of streets that were attacked are 'extremely fearful', Rory says, while others have left. 'There are houses that are boarded up, windows have been smashed in, and several have been burned. I spoke to a Bulgarian-Polish family and they're in the midst of packing up, about to leave because they feel unsafe. Some want to return to Bulgaria after 15 years here,' he said. Other immigrant families are trying a different tactic. 'One family are putting up these printed stickers with notices that say 'Filipinos live here' along with the British flag,' Rory adds. 'They're trying to specify their identity, because they feel Romanians and other nationalities are the focus of anger and protests.' Some of the white local residents he spoke to are, to Rory's surprise, giving support to the riots. 'They all say it's a shame that it's come to this, violence isn't good, but that there's no other way for outsiders, the government authorities, the likes of ourselves, the Guardian, to pay attention to them. They feel that they've been ignored for so many years and so they feel that the riot was unfortunate, but necessary,' he said. Rory quotes 32-year-old Danielle O'Neill, 32, who told him: 'The riots have a valid point; we are being overpopulated … It sounds like I'm racist but I'm not. It's like an invasion. I don't feel safe walking the streets any more. Just yesterday one of them was following me and eyeing me up.' She went on to tell Rory: 'If they can terrorise our kids, we can terrorise the town.' Who is driving the backlash? The anger isn't just bubbling among one community. 'In this case, this is bringing Catholics and Protestants together in combined rioting against the foreigners,' Rory adds. He had people, who are Protestant loyalists, out at the riots last night tell him that they saw 'lots of Catholics from the other part of town' who were there with them. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'They welcomed them. They say it's brilliant that now they have Catholics and Protestants united in a common front against Johnny Foreigner. And that fits with last August, at Belfast city hall, at an anti-immigrant march, where you had loyalists with British flags marching alongside Dublin anti-migrant activists who had the Irish tricolour. They were marching side by side. You don't often see that in Northern Ireland.' What comes next is unclear. Police made several arrests on Tuesday night, which could deter further violence, but social media could continue fuelling things, Rory says. 'Some people are coming in from other parts of Antrim in solidarity with the local rioters. It's unclear whether tonight Ballymena may or may not kick off again. But then it's very possible that trouble could spread to other parts of Northern Ireland.' After Wael al-Dahdouh's family were killed by Israeli airstrikes in 2023 and 2024, he swiftly returned to his work reporting from Gaza. The Palestinian journalist tells Kaamil Ahmed: 'I want to see the journalists' colleagues from all over the world using their conscience, morals and international law to do what they can for their colleagues and brothers in the Gaza Strip.' Sundus Abdi, newsletters team Once the largest women's prison in western Europe, Holloway closed in 2016. Amelia Gentleman talks to former inmates who have participated in a film about the ways in which the system failed them. Alex Needham, acting head of newsletters Is it time to scrap GSCEs? Sally Weale examines this question and discovers how these high-stakes exams are creating excessive anxiety for youngsters and 'failing the fairness test'. Sundus He changed the face of pop with songs that were gorgeously melancholic, even when they were supposed to be about surfing. Alexis Petridis pays tribute to Brian Wilson, leader of the Beach Boys. Alex In another best culture of 2025 list, our critics name Nickel Boys, Good One and Ocean with David Attenborough some of the top films of the year so far. Sundus Football | Fifa will hold a consultation about expanding the Club World Cup to 48 teams in 2029, if the upcoming summer edition is successful. Winners are set to receive up to £93.2m for participation and prize money. Cricket | Kagiso Rabada took five for 51 as South Africa bowled out Australia for 212 at Lord's but then struggled to 43 for four on day one of the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Football | Thomas Tuchel has told Jude Bellingham to concentrate on intimidating the opposition rather than his England teammates as he opened up on what it was like to manage one of the game's 'special' talents. The England head coach talked about Bellingham's 'edge', which can make him erupt during matches in a way that 'can be a bit repulsive'. Tuchel admitted his mother sometimes had 'mixed emotions' when watching Bellingham play. 'Reeves gambles on 'renewing Britain' to win trust of voters' says the Guardian while the Times has 'Chancellor turns on the tax and spend taps'. 'Brace for tax pain to pay for Rachel's 'fantasy' spending' – no surprises to find that's the Express which the Mail gives some competition with 'A reckless splurge we (and our children) will be paying off for years'. The Telegraph says 'Reeves hits police and defence to fund NHS' and the i paper predicts 'Tax rises now inevitable to pay for Reeves' £2trn spending'. The Financial Times is remarkably brief in headlining it: 'Reeves launches £113bn 'renewal' push'. The Mirror thinks Michelle Mone could help: 'Pay back our £122m for 'faulty' PPE'. Lastly for today the Metro: 'The spend of austerity'. NHS, houses, nuclear submarines: Labour sets out its spending plans Economics editor Heather Stewart explores the winners and losers of the government's spending review A bit of good news to remind you that the world's not all bad Elizabeth McCafferty was at a death cafe in London when she was asked the profound question: 'Are you afraid of dying, are you afraid of not living?' She soon realised that her answer to this question was the latter and by confronting death, she found a way to live with more purpose, clarity and patience. After meeting people who were ill, parents who had lost children and carers of the dying, McCafferty found that many of her questions about death were answered, but also accepted that not all of them could be. She writes of her newfound zest for life: 'In truth, I feel more alive than ever for doing so.' Sign up here for a weekly roundup of The Upside, sent to you every Sunday And finally, the Guardian's puzzles are here to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword Wordiply
