The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) says it dealt with a number of race-related hate crime, incidents, and disorder again last night, Thursday, August 8.
Officers dealt with a number of reports of criminal damage to property including a car being set on fire and a window of a house being broken in Benburb Street, PSNI said in a statement on Friday.
Windows of a house were also smashed in Kilburn Street, both in south Belfast.
In east Belfast, a number of bins were set on fire in Castlereagh Street and police were attacked by a group of masked men who threw bricks and masonry at officers in Flora Street, thankfully no officers sustained any injuries.
Thursday was the fifth night of disorder in Belfast since Saturday.
In a further update on Friday, Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: “This will undoubtedly be a very busy weekend for policing across Northern Ireland."
Jones said that there are planned protest activities for Friday night and over the weekend, as well as the risk of other "spontaneous protests."
The 'Unity Over Division' march, described as an "anti-racism counter-protest," will assemble at Belfast City Hall from 4:30 pm, while an anti-immigration protest is due to begin around the same time, also at Belfast City Hall.
On Saturday, the 'Belfast Welcomes Diversity' march, organized as part of the wider Coordinated Day of Protest to Stop the Far Right, plans to go from Writers Square to Belfast City Hall from 12 pm. This gathering has the support of more than 120 organizations, including the Belfast City Council.
Jones noted on Friday that additionally, the Annual Appreciate Boys of Derry Parade will take place in Derry/Londonderry on Saturday and that the Féile an Phobail is continuing in west Belfast.
“We will have a significant visible policing operation in place across Northern Ireland, to ensure everyone is kept safe," Jones said.
"We will be upholding the right to peacefully protest, but this does not extend into intimidation, harassment, or disorder.
"I encourage everyone who is planning to engage in protest to do so peacefully and within the law and to engage with Police and follow instruction."
Jones continued: “We have been directly engaging with all communities, especially those minority communities who have been more acutely impacted by the disorder.
"We reaffirm our commitment to all communities to provide reassurance and support during these frightening times.
"Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams have been engaging and supporting all communities and individuals affected.
“I want to reassure the public that we are working hard to keep everyone safe."
Jones said that 23 arrests have been made and 15 people have been charged, with six people in police custody as of Friday.
"We will be making further arrests in the coming hours and days," Jones added.
Jones said that one person has been identified after the PSNI issued CCTV images of six people they were keen to speak to.
"I am asking the public directly to look at these images and let us know who they can identify," Jones said. "Do not let these criminals hide in your communities."
She continued: “Our Public Order Enquiry Team continue to work at pace to review footage and we will be releasing further images as soon as they are available.
"We are also investigating who is organising and orchestrating this disorder and we will bring these people to justice.
"We have set up a Major Incident Public Portal for people to submit information, images, and footage. I would urge anyone with information to come forward.
“I am appealing for our communities to call this out for what it is. It is wrong.
“The scenes we have been seeing across Belfast over the last week have been a disgrace and have no place in our communities. Those who are intent on causing disorder or committing offences will be brought to justice. Anyone contemplating getting involved needs to understand the consequences of their actions.
“We will use all lawful means and tactics at our disposal to gather evidence and arrest those involved in criminality.
"From today, officers may have additional powers to stop and search or require the removal of face coverings. Our officers have all the appropriate powers to tackle the disorder and criminality that we have seen over the last week.
“We are aware of misinformation circulating on social media regarding advice to employers in Belfast. This has not been issued by the Police Service and I encourage the public to only rely on information from official Police Service social media sites.
“Ten officers have been injured since Saturday. This is not acceptable. No one should have to face violence for doing their job of protecting our communities.
“I can now confirm that we will have additional resources from colleagues from Police Scotland arriving next week. This will give us the vital additional resilience that we need.
“I am appealing to the public directly. Anyone with any information which can help identify any of these individuals should contact Police.
“Do not let these people hide in our communities.”
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