Lyndsey Telford and Chris Page
BBC News NI
Reporting fromBallymena
Pacemaker
Properties were set on fire in Ballymena
Police have said 15 officers were injured in disorder in Ballymena which they described as “racist thuggery, pure and simple” and targeted at ethnic minorities and law enforcement.
Violence broke out following an earlier peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in the County Antrim town.
A 29-year-old man who was arrested has been charged with riotous behaviour, disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police.
North Antrim MP Jim Allister said the violence was “very distressing”.
The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader said the “context” for the initial protest was that there had been “significant demographic change in the area” because of “unfettered immigration”.
Earlier on Monday, two teenage boys appeared before Coleraine Magistrates’ Court accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Ballymena.
They spoke through an interpreter in Romanian to confirm their names and ages.
Their solicitor said they would be denying the charges.
The prime minister’s official spokesman described the events in Ballymena as “very concerning”.
“Obviously, the reports of an [alleged] sexual assault in the area are extremely distressing, but there is no justification for attacks on police officers while they continue to protect local communities,” they said.
What have the police said?
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson told a news conference that some people were “clearly intent on violence” on Monday night.
“The fact that they had some weaponry ready to throw at police would say to me that there was some degree of pre-planning from those involved,” he said.
ACC Henderson said the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had no information to suggest more violence was likely.
He said there would be more arrests to follow and his officers were working to identify those responsible, examining video and online footage.
In an earlier statement, the assistant chief constable said his officers would be speaking to people affected to support and reassure them.
He added there would be a “significant” policing presence in the town in the coming days.
“I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday’s violent disorder to reflect long and hard about their actions, they will have consequences. I also appeal for calm,” he said.
Watch: Disorder breaks out in Ballymena on Monday night
What happened in Ballymena on Monday?
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