Police have confirmed they have arrested six people after “race-related hate crimes” and another night of disorder in Belfast linked to anti-immigration protests.
A superintendent moved to reassure the community that officers remained active in the city after several violent incidents had broken out.
Police had come under attack and businesses in the city have been targeted amid the disorder.
On Tuesday, three men were arrested after reports of criminality in the north of the city.
At around 8.45pm, it was reported to police that a car was hijacked by a group of masked men on Fingal Street.
The vehicle was driven at the front of a business on Woodvale Road, causing minimal damage to the building, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Officers were immediately deployed to the scene when it was reported, just after 9.25pm, that masked men were smashing windows in the Rathlin Street area.
Three men aged 26, 28 and 41 years have been arrested on suspicion of offences including criminal damage and are in custody.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: “For a third night, our officers dealt with incidents such as assaults, criminal damage and arson in a challenging environment right across the city.
”We received a report at around 6.10pm that a shop on the Falls Road had eggs thrown at it and that staff inside were being racially abused by a group of young people. A 15-year-old boy was assaulted and while he received minor facial injuries, I have no doubt this was a terrifying incident for the young victim.
“When police attended, a large group from the local community were outside to diffuse the situation. A 14-year-old boy was cautioned for offences such as common assault, disorderly behaviour and criminal damage. We will review the evidence gathered and follow this up in the coming days.
”Following a report of a group of young people wearing masks in the Shankill area, officers attended and arrested three boys, two aged 16 and one aged 14, on suspicion of riotous behaviour. They remain in police custody at this time.
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll, who attended the scene at the Falls Road said the community was “disgusted” by the incident.
He said west Belfast locals had defended a business that came under attack by a group of young people.
“I would appeal to all young people and everyone else to desist from these types of attacks, and to stand for diversity, inclusion and a welcome west Belfast,” he said.
Bins were set on fire in the Newtownards Road in east Belfast, which caused some traffic disruption for a period of time as the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service dealt with the fire.”
The incidents came amid scenes of disorder in Belfast and parts of England in recent days.
Police said a victim of a suspected hate crime has been left in a serious condition in hospital after violence in Belfast on Monday night.
Four men linked to disorder on Saturday appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The court heard that police believe more violence linked to planned anti-immigration protests is likely in Belfast in the coming days.
A 15-year-old boy, charged with two counts of riot and possession of a weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
