The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has condemned the third consecutive night of “completely unacceptable” disorder last night, Wednesday, June 11.
The PSNI said on Thursday that yesterday evening in Ballymena, Co Antrim, officers once again came under sustained attack with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks, and fireworks thrown at them.
Nine officers were injured, though none seriously, the PSNI said.
Two men aged in their 20s and one in their 30s, along with two teenagers, were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and other offences in connection with the disorder.
Officers also discharged a number of Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs) and the water cannon was deployed once again in an attempt to disperse and calm crowds.
In Larne, roughly 20 miles from Ballymena, officers responded to a report that the local leisure centre had been set alight in what the PSNI described as a "shameful arson attack."
Police said: "Shockingly, people were inside the building at the time of this fire – thankfully, no injuries were reported – and we could have been looking at a completely different situation.
"Our enquiries remain ongoing today in relation to the circumstances surrounding the fire."
Meanwhile, in the Marine Highway area of Carrickfergus, some masked protestors blocked local roads, disrupting traffic.
A teenager was also arrested in the Newtownabbey area in connection with disorder in the Station Road area.
In Coleraine, police received reports that a bus had been attacked and was prevented from entering the train station. A number of bins were also set alight on train tracks at the station, and petrol bombs were also thrown at officers. Trains and bus services were also cancelled.
PSNI said they were also investigating a fire to nearby business premises and a subsequent report that a number of young people broke into a local tyre business and added tyres to fire.
Police said that "thankfully," associated protests passed without incident in the Antrim and Lisburn areas.
In Belfast, officers dealt with a number of protests across the city, which the PSNI said on Thursday were "mainly peaceful," though travel was disrupted for a short period in the Shankill and Shore Road areas.
"As a result of a significant policing operation, calm was restored to all areas at around 1 am on Thursday morning," the PSNI said.
“Last night, a significant policing operation was again required on our streets to deal with violent disorder," PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said on Thursday.
“This criminal behaviour has no place on the streets of Northern Ireland and is completely unacceptable.
“What we witnessed last night has caused fear and huge disruption within our communities, including to our local transport network and community services.
“Police officers came under attack from petrol bombs, fireworks, and heavy masonry.
“A hatchet was also thrown at police lines during this disorder in a clear attempt to seriously injure our officers – and I thank them once again for their continued efforts putting themselves on the line keeping our streets safe."
Hatchet thrown at officers during disorder in Ballymena. (PSNI)
Henderson continued: “We made six arrests last night during this disorder, and more will follow. We are working hard to identify all those responsible in this criminal disorder, and those involved will be dealt with using the full force of the law.
“We are now in the process of gathering evidence, CCTV and other footage of yesterday’s disorder, and anyone who has information or who can help identify those responsible is asked to contact police on 101.
“I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday’s rioting and disorder to think long and hard about their actions and its impact. I would also appeal for calm voices and cool heads to reduce tensions.”
Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal.
A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via PSNI.Police.uk/makeareport/ or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org.
Disorder broke out in Ballymena on Monday night following what had begun as a peaceful vigil in the Co Antrim town.
It is understood the vigil was organized in response to an alleged rape of a teenage girl in the Clonavon Terrace area area of the town on Saturday night, June 7.
Two teenage boys were arrested and charged with attempted rape on Sunday.
On Monday, they appeared in Coleraine Magistrates' Court via videolink from Woodlands Juvenile Centre. They both deny the charges.
There was no application for bail, and they were both remanded in custody until July 2, when they are due to appear by videolink at the youth court at Ballymena Magistrates' Court.
On Tuesday, the PSNI outlined the unrest in Ballymena on Monday night, which saw 15 officers injured and a number of homes and businesses damaged.
"Four houses were damaged by fire, with three people evacuated," the PSNI said on Tuesday. "The attacks on these properties are being investigated as racially-motivated hate attacks."
A 29-year-old man was arrested during Monday night's disorder, with the PSNI confirming on Tuesday that he had been charged with riotous behaviour, disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage, and resisting police. He is due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday, July 3, PSNI said.
There was more unrest in Ballymena on Tuesday night.
On Wednesday morning, the PSNI said that Tuesday was a "second night of rioting and disorder" in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena.
On Tuesday night, "police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks in their direction," the PSNI said.
The PSNI said that earlier on Tuesday evening, officers attended protests in Belfast, Lisburn, Coleraine, and Newtownabbey to monitor the situation and ensure an appropriate and proportionate policing response.
In Carrickfergus, two bins were set alight and bottles and masonry thrown at police in the Sunnylands area by a group of 20-30 young people at around 8:30 pm.
In Newtownabbey, bins were set alight at the roundabout on O’Neill Road.
During the course of the serious disorder in Ballymena on Tuesday night, authorised officers discharged a number of Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs), and the water cannon was also deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds.
Businesses and homes were attacked and damaged, and a number of vehicles were also set on fire in the area.
The PSNI said that 17 officers were injured, with some requiring hospital treatment.
Five people were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and remained in police custody as of Wednesday morning.
A male was also arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour on the O’Neill Road in Newtownabbey.
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