Northern Ireland

Five people arrested following another night of ‘race-related hate crime, incidents and disorder’

6th August 2024 Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones pictured at PSNI Headquarters addressing media in relation to ongoing disorder in Belfast. Picture by - Presseye
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones pictured at PSNI Headquarters addressing media in relation to ongoing disorder in Belfast. PHOTOGRAPH: PRESSEYE (Presseye)
By Catherine McGinty

Five people have been arrested following another night of what the PSNI described as “a number of race-related hate crime, incidents and disorder”.

Police confirmed, the five men - aged 33, 32, two aged 25 and 18 - were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour. Some were also detained on disorderly behaviour, possession of a petrol bomb and resisting arrest. They remain in custody at this time.

The arrests were made after bins were set on fire, blocking Connswater Street, in east Belfast.

A PSNI spokesperson said, in addition, items were thrown at tactical support officers.

The spokesperson added: “Officers also dealt with a number of reports of criminal damage to homes and cars in the Silverstream Road, Sandy Row and Upper Frank Street area of east Belfast.

“One officer was injured during the course of making one of these arrests and has been receiving medical attention at hospital.”

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: “For a fourth night, our officers dealt with incidents such as assaults, criminal damage and arson in a challenging environment right across the city.

”We have arrested 16 males so far with seven charged to court and more will follow. Our Public Order Enquiry Team is continuing to review footage to attempt to identify those involved, as well as those organising and orchestrating this disorder. As with any investigative process, the Police Service will follow the evidence and present it to the Public Prosecution Service.

”As a result of the ongoing street violence and disorder we have seen across Belfast since the weekend the Police Service of Northern Ireland has taken a decision to significantly mobilise the service. This is to ensure that we have additional visible policing able to respond to protest and disorder effectively.

“We have also submitted a request to National Police Co-ordination Centre for additional officers from across the United Kingdom to support the policing operation.”

“Anyone with any information which can help identify any of these individuals should contact us. We have set up a Major Incident Public Portal for people to submit information, images and footage.

“Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash-cam footage, can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal at Public Portal (mipp.police.uk).”