Latest news with #publicdisorder
Bloomberg
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Rwanda Arrests Opposition Leader Over Alleged Incitement Plot
Rwandan authorities have arrested opposition leader Victoire Ingabire over an alleged plot to incite public disorder. The Rwanda Investigation Bureau arrested Ingabire on Thursday at the request of the East African nation's prosecutors, according to a post on X.
CBC
12 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Victoria passes 1st hurdle to approve community safety and well-being plan
Social Sharing City councillors in Victoria have voted to endorse a 79-page plan that aims to address issues around public disorder and a "diminished sense of community safety and well-being." "[This plan] will set us off on a course of activity that I believe will change the experience of living in Victoria," Mayor Marianne Alto said at Monday's committee of the whole meeting. "This is a profoundly complex and comprehensive system change." Alto said voting on the plan was a "watershed moment" for councillors, adding that residents had clearly expressed their concerns about social disorder. The plan will need to be addressed at a regular council meeting for final approval. Dozens of recommendations Staff began to develop the plan in 2023 as part of the city's 2023-2026 strategic plan, under direction from council. The report said it was a result of 18 months of public engagement, data mining, debate and discussion. The plan includes more than 100 recommendations under eight main categories: Housing. Health care. Service delivery. Downtown. Residents. Commerce. Policing and justice. City's community safety and well-being services. Recommendations include creating more housing for people who are homeless, attracting more family doctors and piloting a universal basic income system. Other motions related to the plan include directing city staff to assess and identify the plan's budget implications and required policy changes, and directing the mayor to engage with city partners and other levels of government on the plan's components. Those motions also passed. Concerns about 'aspirational' scope The plan comes on the heels of a report from the Downtown Victoria Business Association that claimed hundreds of business owners would consider leaving the city's core if they weren't tied to their lease due in large part to issues with crime and social disorder related to drugs and mental health-related issues. In their remarks prior to voting on the city plan, several councillors noted that many of the recommendations fall outside the scope of the municipality's jurisdiction. Speaking with On The Island host Gregor Craigie earlier this week, Coun. Stephen Hammond said he generally endorsed the plan but was worried about the expectations it might set for residents. "The difficulty is that people are expecting us to do things in which the province and the feds have the ability to spend and go into debt for," Hammond said, referring to issues like housing, mental health and recruiting family physicians. "There's lots of good things that are aspirational. And then it's just a matter of, can we get the province and the federal government to go along?" Coun. Marg Gardiner, who voted against the motion to endorse the plan, specifically expressed concerns about the effects of drug and health policies from Island Health and the province "They are worse than a hurdle. They could scuttle the whole [plan]," Gardiner said at the meeting. "There is a misunderstanding of the root cause of disorder on our street. The root cause is drug addiction and the failure to provide rehabilitation." Gardiner said she didn't want to give false hope that the city and the safety plan would resolve those key issues. At the meeting, Alto acknowledged those concerns. She said what she and many municipal leaders across B.C. have said repeatedly — that the responsibility of many of the problems plaguing parts of Victoria lies with higher levels of government. Alto said the city intends to continue working with the province and the federal government on those issues, but it is time to set a precedent. "We cannot wait any longer, we have a responsibility to Victorians to take action." No quick fix Sandra Severs, president of the Downtown Victoria Residents Association and a member of the 10-person community leaders panel that helped shape the plan, said the recommendations may be lofty but they provide a roadmap to work from. "The solution to many of the problems that we're facing in the city are not simple problems to solve," she told All Point West guest host Liz McArthur. Severs said safety isn't just about crime and social disorder — it's also about things like access to a family physician and a definition of what it means to feel safe in the place where people live. Victoria's safety and wellness plan serves as an opportunity to offer solutions, Severs said, instead of just reacting to problems, and to provide leadership for other municipalities dealing with similar issues.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
PSNI officers diverted from domestic abuse and sexual crimes investigations to police Northern Ireland unrest
A total of 24 police officers were taken away from the unit which investigates domestic abuse and sexual crimes in Northern Ireland to combat last week's public disorder, a senior Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officer has said. More than 30 people have been arrested by police investigating the unrest, which began in Ballymena, Co Antrim, on June 9th. A peaceful protest over the alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town was followed by attacks on the homes of people from ethnic minority backgrounds and police officers – described as 'racist thuggery' by the PSNI - and subsequently spread to other towns. Appearing before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee of MPs at Westminster on Wednesday, Detective Chief Superintendent Zoe McKee said she 'cannot begin to describe the challenges within [the] public protection arena in policing currently'. READ MORE The head of public protection at the PSNI, Ms McKee said: 'this week alone, I have had 24 officers extracted for public disorder, which actually stemmed from a violence against women and girls offence, and that narrative has been lost in a lot of what has happened in recent weeks.' [ Ballymena: Week of violent attacks on Northern Ireland's small immigrant community 'akin to 1930s Germany' Opens in new window ] The DUP leader, Gavin Robinson, responded this 'should be a cool reminder to people out there that some of the outworkings over the last week are having material impact on your ability to do your job to help protect victims'. 'To build on that,' Ms McKee said, 'what you're seeing is the displacement of minority communities, women and children being forced from their homes and crimes committed against them, probably disproportionately, women and children, as a result of the disorder that has happened'. She said the reallocation of police officers had been the case for the last week, and while it was 'slightly going back to normal, we are ready and alive to the fact that that could be ongoing at any minute, as you know it's a fairly febrile situation'. Ms McKee also outlined the 'significant underfunding challenges' facing police, saying there was a '£21 million (€24.5 million) gap and we have officers at the very lowest level we have ever had in the PSNI, at 6,200 and we should be sitting at 7,500″. 'They are very real challenges which affect how we deliver services and support victims and prosecute offenders for all of the violence against women and girls offence types,' she said. Ms McKee was one of several people who gave evidence to the scrutiny committee's session on ending violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. The Northern Executive adopted a strategic framework on ending violence against women and girls in 2024, the last jurisdiction in the UK and Ireland to do so. Dr Siobhán McAlister, senior lecturer in Criminology at Queen's University Belfast, said survey data showed 'very high prevalence rates' in the North, 'with 98 per cent of women aged 18 plus having experienced at least one form of gender-based violence in their lives'. Such violence was 'highly underreported,' Ms McAlister said, and Ms McKee described underreporting as 'real and significant … it's a real stubborn challenge' for the PSNI. Research showed the 'main reason they don't report … is they don't recognise behaviours as violence' because they were so 'commonplace', Ms McAlister said. Sonya McMullan, regional services manager at Women's Aid NI, said 'we keep coming down to no resourcing and no money, you know, you've got a strategy, but you have no money attached to it, and it's as simple as that'.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Petrol bombs thrown at police during fifth night of Northern Ireland disorder
Petrol bombs were thrown at police for a fifth consecutive night in Northern Ireland, in what has been dubbed a 'week of shame' for the region. After serious public disorder erupted in Ballymena on Monday, the focus of the violence and unrest has since shifted to Portadown. One officer was directly in the impact of a petrol bomb that landed behind a line of police vehicles during a sustained standoff with those participating in the unrest on Friday. Fireworks, masonry, and bottles were among other items thrown at riot police deployed in the town. Shortly before midnight, the PSNI used a water cannon on the crowd in an effort to disperse those gathered on West Street into other areas. The force used the water cannon again at around 12.30am on Saturday. Elsewhere on Friday, there were reports of disruption and damage to public property as riot police responded to another protest in the Tullyally area of Londonderry. It came after a senior officer said there would be a 'scaled-up' policing presence across Northern Ireland in anticipation of further disorder over the weekend. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the mobilisation, which would include officers sent over from Scotland, was 'to reassure our communities and protect our streets'. Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week. The unrest and riotous behaviour spread to other towns including Larne, Belfast and Coleraine. A number of homes were targeted, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has said about 50 households have received assistance across the week, and 14 families have been provided with emergency accommodation. A police representative group said at least 63 police officers have been injured in the five days of disorder, which led political leaders to call for calm during a meeting of the British Irish Council in Newcastle, Co Down, on Friday. First Minister Michelle O'Neill said everyone is condemning the disorder and calling for it to stop. 'What we have seen over the last four days has been devastation, has been horrific for those people targeted – this is women and children, these are families, at the brunt of racist, violent attacks, and it is wrong on every level,' she said. 'The whole of the Executive is united on that front.' Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly described a 'difficult time for Northern Ireland' with 'disgraceful scenes of violent disorder', and said her thoughts are with the residents of the areas affected. Additional police officers from Scotland supported the PSNI after a mutual aid request. Scottish First Minister John Swinney said it was an illustration of how cooperation between police forces is 'absolutely essential'. While disorder in Ballymena raged across Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night, it appeared to have largely abated in that town by Thursday. However, disorder instead flared in Portadown – although generally at a lower intensity compared to scenes seen earlier in the week. There have also been incidents in other towns, including the burning of Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday and an arson attack on a house in Coleraine in the early hours of Friday, from which a man and woman, and four young children escaped. It is being treated by police as arson with a racially motivated hate element. The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said that since violence erupted in Ballymena on Monday, 63 officers have been injured. Federation chairman Liam Kelly said it has been 'a week of shame with appalling levels of unrest in towns and cities'. 'Burning people out of their homes, attacking a leisure centre, and the specific targeting of individuals and property fuelled by overt racism and prejudice, is totally deplorable,' he 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. 'They 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.' Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned on Thursday that his officers would be coming after the 'bigots and racists' behind the disorder. He also said that the young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend had been 'further traumatised' by the rioting across the week.
Irish Times
12-06-2025
- Irish Times
Three teenagers charged with riot in Ballymena while leisure centre set alight in Larne in third night of violence
Three teenagers have been charged following public disorder in Ballymena . The three males, aged 15, 17 and 18 years have been charged with riot, while the 15-year-old has also been charged with criminal damage following scenes in the Co Antrim town on Tuesday night. They are to appear before Ballymena Magistrates' Court later. Meanwhile, two other teenage boys who were arrested during the disorder have been released on bail to allow for further police inquiries. READ MORE Police in Northern Ireland condemned a third consecutive night of 'completely unacceptable' disorder on Thursday morning. The violence began around Clonavon Terrace on Monday night following an earlier peaceful protest which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. Two teenage boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged. The PSNI said on Wednesday night in Ballymena their officers came under sustained attack with multiple petrol bombs, a hatchet, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown at them. Officers responded with water cannon, dogs and plastic baton rounds in an attempt to disperse crowds in the town. Nine officers were injured, while two men, aged in their 20s, and one in their 30s, along with two teenagers, were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and other offences in connection with the disorder on Wednesday. Police said officers discharged a number of Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs) and the water cannon was deployed once again in an attempt to disperse and calm crowds. Police also responded to an attack on the local leisure centre in Larne. Larne Leisure Centre was targeted on Wednesday evening as a third night of unrest unfolds Masked protesters blocked local roads in the Marine Highway area of Carrickfergus, a teenager was arrested in Newtownabbey following disorder in the Station Road area and in Coleraine, a bus was attacked, bins were set alight on the train tracks and petrol bombs were thrown at police. They added that associated protests passed without incident in the Antrim and Lisburn areas, and there were mainly peaceful protests in Belfast. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said there was a significant policing operation on Wednesday night. 'What we witnessed last night has caused fear and huge disruption within our communities, including to our local transport network and community services,' he said. 'Police officers came under attack from petrol bombs, fireworks and heavy masonry. 'A hatchet was also thrown at police lines during this disorder in a clear attempt to seriously injure our officers, and I thank them once again for their continued efforts putting themselves on the line keeping our streets safe. 'We made six arrests last night during this disorder and more will follow. 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.' Earlier, Northern Secretary Hilary Benn described scenes as 'shocking', adding there is 'absolutely no justification for civil disorder'. He told the BBC 's Good Morning Ulster programme: 'This not what Northern Ireland is about, this is not what we want the rest of the world to see. 'We all, as elected representatives, have a responsibility to seek to calm things down, to support those in the community trying to keep people safe, principally the PSNI, to work with community leaders to lower tensions. 'Whatever views people hold, there is no justification for trying to burn people out of their homes, that is what is going on, and that is what needs to stop because it is shocking and damaging, and it reflects very badly of the image of Northern Ireland that we all want to send to the rest of the world.' A group of Filipino nationals have been forced to leave their Ballymena home amid ongoing violence in the town. Video: Reuters Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long said it has been a 'three-day festival of hate and destruction' which needs to stop before someone loses their life. She said she will be seeking additional funding for the PSNI in the June Monitoring Round. She also commended the PSNI for seeking support through a mutual aid request for additional officers from Great Britain. The Larne leisure centre had temporarily been used as an emergency shelter for those in urgent need following disturbances in Ballymena. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, who highlighted the use of the building in a social media post, said all those who had been staying at the leisure centre are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne. Mr Lyons later said he would 'strongly hit back at any notion' that he had publicly revealed the facility was being used to house immigrant families who had been affected by violence in Ballymena. SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole, the leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, said he would refer Mr Lyons to the standards commission following the fire. In Ballymena on Wednesday, the PSNI deployed riot police for a third night in a row as hundreds gathered around the Clonavon Terrace area. At least one protester was struck by plastic baton rounds fired by police while officers also used a water cannon on the crowd. Officers used dog units and drones in their response to the gathering. Riot police with shields advanced on the crowd to disperse them down Bridge Street on to other roads. They came under sustained attack as those participating in disorder hurled petrol bombs, masonry and fireworks at police vehicles and officers standing nearby. Rioters smashed the windows of a house on North Street and set multiple fires on streets in the surrounding area. The disorder and stand-off with police continued past midnight. The PSNI have also noted scenes of disorder in Belfast, Lisburn, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey earlier in the week, as businesses, homes and cars were attacked and damaged. By Wednesday, six individuals had been arrested for public order offences, and one charged. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he 'utterly condemns' violence which left 32 police officers injured after the second night of disturbances. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has warned the rioting 'risks undermining' the criminal justice process into an allegation of a sex attack on a teenage girl in Ballymena at the weekend. Stormont ministers have also made an urgent appeal for calm and said the justice process had to be allowed to take its course. First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly appeared together on Wednesday to voice their condemnation. Sinn Féin vice-president Ms O'Neill told reporters in Belfast: 'It's pure racism, there is no other way to dress it up.' Ms Little-Pengelly described the scenes in Ballymena as 'unacceptable thuggery'. With the protests focused in predominantly loyalist areas in Ballymena, Ms O'Neill said she did not believe it would be helpful for her to visit in the current context. DUP MLA Ms Little-Pengelly met residents in the town on Wednesday and said the local community are in fear and wanted the violence to stop. - Press Association
