Northern Ireland

Belfast riots: Manager of burned supermarket asks PSNI ‘Where are you when we need you?’

‘People destroying, burning, I almost get killed. Nobody did anything’ - Supermarket manager

Bashir, a worker at the Sham Supermarket in south Belfast which was burned during violent scenes following an anti-immigration protest in Belfast on Saturday. He addressed a special meeting of Belfast City Council on Monday night called following the violence.
Bashir, a worker at the Sham Supermarket in south Belfast which was burned during violent scenes following an anti-immigration protest in Belfast on Saturday. He addressed a special meeting of Belfast City Council on Monday night called following the violence.
By Catherine McGinty

The manager of a supermarket set alight and destroyed during racist violence in Belfast has challenged the PSNI’s response to the incident.

Bashir, who works at Sham Supermarket in South Belfast, was addressing Monday’s special meeting of Belfast City Council which discussed the weekend violence.

Several premises in the city were attacked on Saturday, and again Monday evening.

Damage caused to businesses and cars in the Donegall Road and Sandy Row area of South Belfast following overnight violence. PICTURES: Mal MCCANN
Damage caused to businesses and cars in the Donegall Road and Sandy Row area of South Belfast following overnight violence. PICTURE: Mal MCCANN

Council subsequently passed a motion in support of the people and businesses affected by violence during protests in the city on Saturday August 3.

Addressing councillors, Bashir said there was “literally nothing left inside” the building, except ashes.

He added: “My question is for the PSNI, ‘Where are you? Where are you when we need you?’”

Bashir said he had been facing similar situations since he came to live in the north – five and a half years ago.

Bashir said: “This is the third time actually our shop has been burned. The police come, they go, they write a statement, they take the statement, and they throw it in the bin, that’s what they do, if you allow me to say that.

“Because, what I saw, nothing happened. People destroying, burning, I almost get killed. Nobody did anything.”

The businessman said he did not want any more apologies. “I want your action. Do something for me,” he said.

The Belfast City Council motion condemned what it described as “the violent destruction and racist intimidation across the city, caused by far-right agitators on the streets of Belfast over the weekend”.

It added: “We stand in solidarity with those in our minority ethnic communities across the city, who own and run businesses, contribute to our culture and identity in Belfast and make Belfast an open and welcoming place to live, work and study.

“We reiterate our commitment to Belfast being a city of sanctuary for those fleeing war and persecution.

The Sham Supermarket was attacked again on Monday night. PICTURE: Mal MCCANN
The Sham Supermarket was attacked again on Monday night. PICTURE: Mal MCCANN

“Those who would seek to exploit this tragic situation to suit their own malevolent ends do not speak for Belfast nor represent our city.”

It was also agreed that council officers would submit a report to a future special meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, “to establish a programme of financial assistance for the business owners who were impacted by racist criminal attacks”.