Four arrests made with more to follow as PSNI probe violenceBusinesses and cars torched with deputy FM pleading: ‘Stop it now’ First Minister and DUP leader also condemn ‘thuggery’UK towns and cities see clashes as missiles thrown and shops looted
Four people have been arrested after a day and night of sporadic violence which saw a cafe and shop set on fire. Cars and bins were also torched in the Sandy Row area.
Three PSNI officers were injured and at least 13 reports of criminal damage were made to police.
Cars on fire in the Wellwood Street area of Sandy Row (Photo: Liam McBurney)
Petrol bombs were thrown and an apartment block evacuated at one stage, Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said.
He said police will use “every tool at our disposal to identify those involved”.
Fresh trouble flared on Saturday night after rival groups faced off in the city centre earlier in the day, as unrest following the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party in Southport spread to Northern Ireland.
At one stage police formed a large cordon around the Islamic Centre on University Street as an anti-immigration march headed towards the area.
Police guard the Islamic Centre in Belfast (Pic: Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)
There has been widespread condemnation, with political leaders saying those responsible must face heavy punishment.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she had spoken to Taoiseach Simon Harris on the matter.
She said: “We are agreed that co-operation between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána is essential in bringing those responsible for the violence to justice and I urge anyone with information to bring it forward to the police.
“There can be no place for racism, hatred, discrimination and intimidation anywhere in our society. I remain resolutely committed to a shared, modern and inclusive society.”
Justice Minister Naomi Long said the demonstrations were “orchestrated by those motivated by a desire to create fear and division”.
“They have no regard for human life and are focused on spreading misinformation and disinformation to alienate some sections of our community,” she said.
“This type of disorder needs to be highlighted for what it is – fearmongering and intimidation of the highest level.”
Gavin Robinson, the DUP leader, said: “The scenes of violence, thuggery and destruction in Belfast yesterday are totally unacceptable. Lawlessness and violence was and is always wrong. Those intent on such behaviour must face the full rigours of the law.”
This afternoon, the PSNI released further details of the trouble.
They said a protest involving 600 people formed in the City Hall area yesterday morning, with police preventing attempts to march to the Belfast Islamic Centre.
Sporadic violence broke out in parts of south Belfast, with further disorder reported in the Sandy Row area on Saturday night. Some nearby roads were closed by police.
Mr Beck added: “As a result of yesterday’s disorder, we are today, Sunday, dealing with a number of reports of criminal damage, assault, and arson – as well as other related offences.
“So far we have made four arrests for a number of offences including disorderly behaviour, assault on police, taking part in an un-notified procession, riotous behaviour and possession of fireworks without a licence.
“There were four reports of assault made to police involving members of the public. Serious injuries, thankfully, were not reported.
“Three police officers also sustained injuries as a consequence of this disorder, two officers remained on duty and one officer was relieved from duty after suffering concussion.”
Police in riot gear deployed at City Hall. Photo: Kevin Scott.
Mr Beck said attacks on officers were “totally unacceptable” as he praised the “professional actions” of police who dealt with yesterday’s events.
“To date we have received 13 reports of criminal damage but we expect to receive more as the days progress. We are continuing to engage with communities across Belfast in this regard,” he added.
“Some of these reports included extensive damage caused to local businesses with windows being broken and damage also caused to vehicles parked in the local community – some of which were burnt out.
“There were also five reports of arson including a bin being set on fire, youths throwing petrol bombs and fire damage to business premises in the Donegall Road area. It was necessary to evacuate an apartment block in a building set on fire, such was the recklessness of the disorder.”
“Nothing left just ashes” – Businesses destroyed during night of racist disorder in south Belfast
Mr Beck said police are “working hard to identify all those responsible” and those involved “will be dealt with using the full force of the law”.
“This disorder, violence and destruction has no place in Belfast or anywhere else across the streets of Northern Ireland,” he added.
“I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday’s rioting and disorder to think long and hard about their actions and the devastating impact this has had on local communities.
“Those who engaged in this behaviour bring nothing but shame to themselves and Belfast city.
“Their actions are completely inexcusable and we will be using every tool at our disposal to identify those involved.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: “Northern Ireland must always be a place that protects the right to protest, the right to have a view and to express it.
“Let’s be very clear – violence is not acceptable. It never was and it is not now. No one has the right to express hate and violence. Stop it now.”
Cars on fire in the Wellwood Street area of Sandy Row (Photo: Liam McBurney)
Secretary of State Hilary Benn posted on X: “Shame on those involved in violent disorder in Belfast today. Hatred has no place in our society. I commend the officers of the PSNI for everything they have done to keep people safe.”
UUP leader Doug Beattie called the scenes “absolutely appalling”, adding: “Those who incited this, not just the perpetrators, must be held to account.”
SDLP South Belfast MLA Matthew O’Toole said: “To see far right thugs – many of whom had no connection to the area – rampage through Botanic Avenue and the Holyland, areas proud of their diversity, was appalling.
“There was nothing legitimate about their actions. They had no cause other than hate and no agenda other than destruction.”
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Hundreds of people had gathered for the peaceful Unity Over Division rally, in support of Muslim communities. Some in the crowd held banners saying ‘no to racism’ and ‘refugees are welcome’.
Soon afterwards, anti-Islamic protesters also gathered near City Hall. Some chanted “Islam out” while others carried a Coolock Says No sign, in reference to a site in Dublin that was being renovated to accommodate asylum seekers.
While the anti-Islamophobia rally ended shortly before 1pm, anti-immigration protesters moved on to south Belfast, arriving on Ormeau Road where around 100 local residents turned them back.
Several businesses around Botanic Avenue were targeted.
Windows were smashed and furniture broken at the Sahara shisha cafe. Its owner Rahmi, who has been in Belfast for 35 years, said he did not “know how to explain” what happened to his children.
Thugs also smashed windows at the Holiday Inn and Dukes at Queen’s Hotel on University Street.
Then, on Saturday evening, cars and bins were torched in the Sandy Row area.
The owner of one supermarket targeted, Bashir, said Muslim businesses were being deliberately targeted.
Firefighters also attended Bash Cafe, which was ablaze.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said four appliances and two officers attended the cafe on fire. The cause was determined as “deliberate”.
NIFRS then received reports of a shop on fire on Donegal Road shortly after 10.50pm. Four appliances attended before leaving the scene just after midnight. The case was also determined as “deliberate”.
Watch: Cars burn during night of disorder in south Belfast
Deirdre Hargey, a local Sinn Fein MLA who attended the anti-racism rally, said there was shock that the anti-immigrant protest had been allowed to reach south Belfast.
She told the Belfast Telegraph: “Our understanding is the fascist mob that had gathered at City Hall this morning made their way up towards University Road in south Belfast.”
Ms Hargey said it was “very concerning” that the procession was able to march from the city centre to south Belfast.
She added: “We warned about this yesterday and I spoke to the PSNI and said there was refugee and asylum seeker accommodation the whole way up this route.”
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Anthony Flynn, a local Green Party councillor, posted on X: “Absolutely disgusting scenes from the far-right thugs throwing fireworks, stones, and other missiles towards a peaceful anti-fascist rally. These people are not Belfast. They will exploit any situation to spread their vile hatred.”
Multiple UK towns and cities saw clashes between anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters, with police officers attacked and injured, and many more arrests promised.
The string of violent incidents over the past few days began on Tuesday in Southport, after three girls were killed in a knife attack.
The victims were Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.
Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is accused of the attack, but false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.
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Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said people involved in the clashes “will pay the price” and that “criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britain’s streets”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the police have his “full support” to take action against “extremists” attempting to “sow hate” by intimidating communities as he held emergency talks with ministers over the unrest in parts of England.
Arrests have been made across the country with police warning of more to come once CCTV, social media and body-worn camera footage has been scoured.
There was violence on Saturday in towns and cities such as Hull, Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester and Blackpool which saw several police officers injured.
Watch: Cars burn during night of disorder in south Belfast