Police will use “every tool at our disposal” to identify and bring to justice the anti-immigration rioters who brought fear and chaos to the streets of Belfast during Saturday’s shocking scenes of violence.
Four arrests have so far been made after a far-right mob targeted businesses owned by ethnic minorities in the south of the city, setting premises on fire and leaving owners in fear for their lives.
The violence followed an anti-immigration protest at Belfast City Hall.
After being separated from counter-protest, anti-racism rally by police and with some having thrown fireworks and other missiles, the anti-immigration protesters roamed through the south of the city towards the Belfast Islamic Centre, attacking businesses on the way, including a supermarket owned by a Syrian employer and a café run by a Sudanese man.
Other businesses targeted include a second café, a barbershop, and hotels in the Botanic Avenue/University Street area. Police in riot gear remained in the vicinity of the Islamic Centre to ward off thugs intent on attacking the building.
Rioters later set fire to bins and threw petrol bombs, and as one premises in the Donegall Road area was torched, an adjoining apartment block was evacuated.
Five reports of arson have so far been made, while three police officers were injured during the disorder, including one who suffered a concussion.
Four reports of assault were received by the PSNI, along with 13 reports of criminal damage – a figure police say they expect to increase in the coming days.
As the force assesses the scale of the damage, they say many more people can expect to be arrested alongside the four already detained on suspicion of offences including riotous behaviour, assaulting police and taking part in an un-notified procession.
The disorder took place as weekend violence flared in other parts of the UK including Manchester, Liverpool and Hull.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck vowed that those who took part in the disorder in Belfast would be brought before the courts.
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“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,” he said.
“This disorder, violence and destruction has no place in Belfast or anywhere else across the streets of Northern Ireland.
“I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday’s rioting and disorder to think long and hard about their actions and the devastating impact this has had on local communities.
“Those who engaged in this behaviour bring nothing but shame to themselves and Belfast city.”
Speaking of the response operation now underway, he added: “Their actions are completely inexcusable and we will be using every tool at our disposal to identify those involved.
“We are now in the process of gathering evidence, CCTV and other footage of yesterday’s events and anyone who has information or who can help identify those responsible is asked to contact police on 101.”
Political leaders, including the north’s justice minister, Naomi Long, have condemned the violent scenes.
Ms Long said the disorder was “orchestrated by those motivated by a desire to create fear and division”.
“They have no regard for human life and are focused on spreading misinformation and disinformation to alienate some sections of our community,” she said.
“This type of disorder needs to be highlighted for what it is – fearmongering and intimidation of the highest level.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson slammed the “thuggery” of the rioters and said they “must face the full rigours of the law”.
Meanwhile, the north’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill said after speaking with Taoiseach Simon Harris, that co-operation between the PSNI and Gardaí would be “essential” in bringing some rioters to justice.
It is believed some of the anti-immigration protesters were from the Republic, where far-right violence has also flared in recent months.
Mr Harris condemned the appearance of Irish Tricolours at the anti-immigration protest in Belfast by some involved in “attacking police and spouting racism”.
“This is repugnant to everything the Irish flag represents,” he said.
In a joint statement on Sunday evening, Ms O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: “Whilst people are entitled to peaceful protest, there is no justification for racism or the violence and intimidation that occurred on Saturday.
“Those involved should be quickly brought before the courts and we appeal to anyone with information to provide that information to the PSNI.
“We reiterate our joint commitment to a shared, peaceful and inclusive society.”
South Belfast SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole, who earlier spoke at the anti-racism rally, said: “To see far right thugs - many of whom had no connection to the area - rampage through Botanic Avenue and the Holyland, areas proud of their diversity, was appalling.”
He added: “The policing response must be robust and the political response united.”
As Belfast began picking up the pieces from a day and night of disorder, trouble continued on Sunday in Rotherham, England, as a far-right mob attacked a hotel and were confronted by riot police after smashing windows and setting fires outside the building.
In a press conference last night, Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised “whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice.”
He said people “have a right to be safe” and yet we’ve seen “Muslim communities targeted... Nazi salutes in the street”.
“I won’t shy away from calling it what it is - far-right thuggery,” Mr Starmer said.
The Home Office later said that Mosques will be offered greater protection with new “emergency legislation.”
