The authorities confirmed they are probing numerous racially-driven hate offences that occurred on Tuesday night in Belfast. This included a group of young individuals assaulting a minor. As a result of various violent occurrences following protests against immigration, a senior officer aimed to assure the community of the police force’s continuous activity within the city. Amid the chaos, the police were attacked and local businesses became targets.
On Tuesday, law enforcement arrested three individuals following incidents of unlawful activities in the city’s northern section. At approximately 8.45 pm, the police received reports of a car being seized by a group of masked men on Fingal Street.
The grand theft auto resulted in minimal structural damage to a business when the car was driven directly into it on Woodvale Road, as reported by the Northern Ireland Police Force. Thus, the police rushed to the scene after receiving information around 9.25 pm that masked individuals were vandalizing windows in Rathlin Street area.
The three arrested men, aged 26, 28, and 41, are currently in custody charged with suspicion of criminal damage. Superintendent Allister Hagan, speaking on Tuesday night, vowed to the community of an ongoing police presence within the area and reassured the north Belfast residents of their visibility.
Hagan asserted that the police’s inquiries into the received reports, being treated as racially-driven hate offences, are advancing. He urged anyone with useful information to get in touch through the emergency number 101 or 999 in case of an urgent situation, quoting reference 1609 of 06/08/24.
He more so encouraged submission of relevant information, imagery, and footage through the established major incident public portal. Earlier that Tuesday, the police announced their investigation into the assault of a young boy, classifying it as a hate crime. Law enforcement reported that a sizeable group of youths pelted eggs at a shop on Falls Road around 6.10 pm that Tuesday.
They further mentioned that about 10 youths assaulted the minor, leading to a slight facial injury.
Gerry Carroll, an MLA from the People Before Profit party, was present at the scene of a distasteful incident. He expressed the community’s outrage and conveyed that local residents of west Belfast had protected a business targeted by a young crowd. He urged all, especially the youth, to stop such aggressive actions and support values of inclusivity, diversity, and a hospitable west Belfast.
The occurrence is amidst the ongoing unrest in Belfast and some areas of England in recent days. As a consequence of havoc in Belfast on Monday night, a person suspected to be a hate crime victim is critically ill in the hospital.
On Monday, four individuals allegedly involved in the chaos on Saturday were seen at Belfast’s Magistrates’ Court. Court officials were informed by the police of possible impending violence in Belfast due to scheduled protests against immigration.
A minor of 15 years, accused of rioting, twice, and possessing a tool with criminal intentions, is to stand before the Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.