Police in Ballymena have faced attacks for the third night in a row as they try to manage violent protests. On Wednesday night, people threw bricks and petrol bombs at police during ongoing unrest in this town in Northern Ireland.
Houses, cars, and a leisure center that was being used as a shelter for families were also set on fire by the protesters. In response, police used water cannons and fired plastic baton rounds.
The violence started on Monday after a girl was reportedly sexually assaulted in the area. Over the three nights of disorder, ethnic minorities seem to have been specifically targeted. Some residents have put signs in their windows to show their nationalities as a sign of solidarity.
The disturbances have spread to nearby towns like Larne and Coleraine. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has asked for assistance from police forces in England and Wales to help manage the situation.
During the first two nights, there were several incidents of violence. On Tuesday night, some masked protesters attacked police with fireworks, glass bottles, and metal objects. A total of 32 police officers were injured and six people were arrested by the end of the second night.
On Wednesday night, despite politicians calling for the violence to end, hundreds of people gathered again, attacking the police with petrol bombs and bricks. Rioters smashed the windows of homes and started numerous fires in the streets, and clashes with police continued past midnight.
As the situation worsened, there were reports of disturbances in other towns. On Tuesday, there was “sporadic disorder” in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus, where groups of young people threw bricks at police.
In Larne, which is about 30 minutes from Ballymena, masked youths attacked the leisure center meant to shelter families affected by the unrest.
This violence began after a peaceful protest on Monday in support of the girl who was allegedly assaulted. Two 14-year-old boys have been charged with attempted rape, and a 28-year-old man was briefly arrested but later released.
Ballymena is a town with around 30,000 people and is located a short drive from Belfast.
Once described as a nice shopping town, its streets became chaotic during the unrest. With ethnic minorities under threat, some residents are displaying signs indicating their nationalities, like “British household” or “Filipino lives here.”
The local community is frightened and wants the violence to stop, as shared by deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly after meeting with residents on Wednesday.
In reaction, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the violence, stating, “I utterly condemn the violence that we have seen overnight in Ballymena and other areas of Northern Ireland.”
He emphasized the need for peace and support for the police as they handle the situation.
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned that the rioting could interfere with the legal process related to the alleged sexual attack on the girl.