Second night of Ballymena riots leave 17 police officers injured and 6 arrests

Another 17 police officers have been injured after a second night of rioting in Ballymena.

Rioters threw petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks at officers last night as tensions continued to rise in the Co Antrim town in Northern Ireland.

Riot police with shields were deployed to the Clonavon Terrace area of the town. Five people have been arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and are still in custody this morning.

Officers used rubber bullets and a water cannon to try and disperse crowds, but despite this businesses and homes were attacked and damaged and a number of vehicles were set alight.

Other protests took place in areas of Belfast, Lisburn, Coleraine and Newtownabbey earlier in the evening, some of which experienced disorder.

Two bins were set alight and bottles and masonry were thrown at police in the Sunnylands area of Carrickfergus by a group of 20-30 young people. 

A man was arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour in Newtownabbey after bins were set alight.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher condemned the second night of violence and said: ‘The mindless violence witnessed over the past two nights in Ballymena is deeply concerning and utterly unacceptable.

‘These criminal acts not only endanger lives but also risk undermining the ongoing criminal justice process led by the PSNI in support of a victim who deserves truth, justice, and protection.

‘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.

‘As with any serious offenders in Northern Ireland, we will pursue those responsible and bring them to justice.

‘We will now begin our investigation of reviewing all evidence gathered, including video footage, and Images of the individuals involved will be released to identify offenders. 

‘Do not throw away your future and do not continue to endanger or intimidate the lives of others.

‘To those who have been threatened or affected by this violence: we are with you. You deserve safety and justice, and we will find and prosecute those responsible.

‘Hate-fuelled acts and mob rule do nothing but tear at the fabric of our society – they resolve nothing and serve no one.’

The two nights of riots come after an earlier peaceful protest on Monday in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said 15 officers were injured on Monday night, some of whom needed hospital treatment, and two police vehicles were damaged.

The rioting began after two 14-year-old boys, thought to be Romanian, appeared in court charged with attempted oral rape. It reportedly took place in the Clonavon Terrace area on Saturday evening.

The boys appeared at Coleraine magistrates court on Monday via videolink from a juvenile justice centre, where they both pleaded not guilty.

A Romanian interpreter was in court to read the charges to both defendants.

Around 2,500 people gathered in the park on Monday before moving towards Clonavon Terrace.

The men, women and children marched along Larne Street and Queen Street – but the situation erupted into violence as fires were lit, a boat was overturned and homes vandalised.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.