The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) says it made several arrests and dealt with a number of race-related hate crimes, hate incidents, and disorder across Belfast last night, Tuesday, August 6.
“For a third night, our officers dealt with incidents such as assaults, criminal damage, and arson in a challenging environment right across the city," Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said in a statement on Wednesday.
“We received a report at around 6:10 pm 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."
In a subsequent update on Wednesday, PSNI said police in west Belfast, investigating last night's report of a race hate-related assault on the Falls Road in which a 15-year-old boy was assaulted, have arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of riotous behaviour, common assault, and criminal damage.
The boy remains in custody at this time assisting officers with their enquiries.
Around 30 residents have turned out from the local area to chase the youths and offer support to the Middle East Market.
Police also in attendance @BelTel https://t.co/WuFoOF4533 pic.twitter.com/upW4AKipHy
— Kevin Scott (@Kscott_94) August 6, 2024
Jones continued earlier on Wednesday: “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.
“We also dealt with a report of a hijacking in the Fingal Street area of west Belfast at around 8:45 pm, followed by a report that a car was deliberately driven at a business in the Woodvale Road area, causing damage to the shutters. The suspects made off from the scene.
“Officers dealt with a number of reports of criminal damage to homes and cars in the Enfield Street, Woodvale Road, and Rathlin Street.
"Three men, aged 26, 28, and 41 years, were arrested in connection to the Rathlin Street report on suspicion of offences including criminal damage and they remain in custody at this time.
“There were also reports of bins set on fire in the Newtownards Road area of east Belfast, which caused some traffic disruption for a period of time as the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service dealt with the fire.”
Jones continued: “The scenes we have been seeing across Belfast over the last few days have been a disgrace and have no place in Northern Ireland.
“We continue to engage with the groups affected by this criminality and hope these arrests show the community that we are taking action.
"Our Public Order Enquiry Team will continue 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.
“I am appealing to the public directly, do not let these criminals hide in your community.
"Anyone with any information which can help identify any of these individuals should contact Police. 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 here."
Tuesday night was the third night of disorder in Belfast since Saturday.
The PSNI said earlier on Tuesday, before the third period of disorder kicked off, that police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, and bricks thrown in their direction on Monday night.
Monday's rioting and disorder follow similar scenes that erupted on Saturday in Belfast, leading to four men being charged and remanded into custody on Monday.
The violence has been condemned by Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly. Both met with PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher on Monday.
Elsewhere on Monday, the Northern Ireland Assembly, which is on recess, was recalled for this Thursday to consider a motion that, in part, condemns the "criminal damage and targeting of businesses in recent days."
Meanwhile, during a special meeting on Monday evening, Belfast City Council passed a motion in support of the people and businesses affected by violence during protests in the city on Saturday.
It was also agreed that council officers would submit a report to a future special meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, as soon as possible, “to establish a programme of financial assistance for the business owners who were impacted by racist criminal attacks."
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