Police in Northern Ireland are working “night and day” to apprehend those responsible for recent rioting, a senior officer has said, reports Breaking News.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) expressed relief at a decline in violence on Saturday night after several consecutive days of unrest and attacks on police.
According to the PSNI, there were only “sporadic disturbances” on Saturday, such as youths throwing stones in Lurgan and an attempted vehicle attack in Carrickfergus, reports Breaking News.
Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones stated: “Our heightened presence in our local communities and continued community engagement to de-escalate violence continued last night, but thankfully, the situation was much calmer than we have seen in recent days.
“I issued a public plea to parent/guardians and families of young people who have been driving the criminal activity in some areas to warn them of the serious consequences of their actions. I am asking for continued conversations amongst local families to deter young people from criminalising themselves,” reports Breaking News.
The unrest originated in Ballymena on Monday following an alleged sexual assault involving a girl over the previous weekend. Two 14-year-old boys, who required a Romanian interpreter in court, have been charged with attempted rape.
A peaceful demonstration held Monday evening in response to the alleged incident was followed by attacks on law enforcement and on homes of ethnic minority residents, reports Breaking News.
The PSNI referred to these events as “racist thuggery”.
The disturbances in the County Antrim town continued over several nights and spread to other Northern Ireland locations, including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Derry, and Coleraine, reports Breaking News.
PSNI officers dealt with further sporadic incidents on Saturday, including an attempt to damage a vehicle in Carrickfergus. A 40-year-old man has been charged in relation to that incident and is scheduled to appear in court next month.
In response to reports of bottles being thrown at homes in Lurgan, two boys aged 14 and 12 were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage but were later released on street bail, reports Breaking News.
Separately, detectives arrested a 32-year-old man in Larne on Saturday in connection with online activity linked to the recent unrest. He was held on suspicion of assisting or encouraging criminal behaviour and for possession of a class B drug.
He remains in police custody.
Ms Jones said: “Our public order inquiry Team are working day and night to identify those who have been involved in the disorder over the last number of days. Our Chief Constable and other members of the senior team have been meeting with local community representatives of those affected over the weekend so we can support them as best we can and offer reassurance of our policing operation to restore calm. Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets. So, just as we will seek justice for women and girls who report heinous crimes to us, we will also seek justice for local innocent families who are being targeted by criminality fuelled by hate. To date, we have made 24 arrests, 14 of which have resulted in individuals being charged to court,” reports Breaking News.
She added: “Sixty-four of our colleagues have been injured and I commend their bravery and determination. Their unwavering efforts over the last number of days have resulted in a reduction of disorder and I hope the local communities who have been targeted have felt the support of our frontline teams. To come under sustained attack when you are there to serve and protect all is disheartening to say the least. They have been steadfast in their commitment to restore peace and I am proud of them all,” reports Breaking News.
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