In Derry, a violent incident led to ten law enforcement officials sustaining injuries due to thrown petrol bombs, fireworks and weighty stonework. Local police are collaborating with community ambassadors to prevent the situation from further spiralling out of control in Nailors Row where unrest erupted. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has urged parents and caregivers to secure their children’s safety. The chaos has been described as a serious threat to local inhabitants.
The PSNI have implemented several strategies to calm the situation, among them being the employment of the Public Order Dog Unit. Superintendent William Calderwood praised the professionalism of the officers who braved the challenging circumstances stemming from numerous departments, condemning the violence meted out against them as atrocious.
One in-custody incident has occurred so far in relation to the altercation, and the PSNI assured that a thorough investigation has been instituted.
In an unrelated incident, a mosque in Co Down was targeted in a racially motivated attack. A petrol bomb that was hurled towards it failed to ignite. The mosque, located at present on Greenwell Street in Newtownards, was assaulted around 1am, accompanied by graffiti defacement on its front door and walls.
Chief Inspector Keith Hutchinson has unequivocally deemed the incident a hate crime spurred by racial intentions, sending out a stern warning to the alleged culprits that such actions are intolerable and hate crime accusations are treated with utmost gravity. He appealed for any possible evidence or informational leads to those culpable, to aid swift legal proceedings.
On a brighter note, a number of demonstrations in Belfast city concluded without any issues reported on Friday evening. However, some ensuing reports of damage to properties and vehicles have kept law enforcement officials on their toes.
Racially motivated hate crimes struck Tavanagh Street and Sandhurst Gardens with cars set on fire, according to the authorities. A restaurant located on Ormeau Road was also targeted, with its rear door receiving a kick and racial slurs directed at its employees. Friday saw the arrest of five individuals.
A 22-year-old was taken into custody for allegedly throwing a bottle at a law enforcement vehicle during the protests that occurred in Belfast on Friday. The young man is set to appear in court on September 6th with charges including disorderly conduct and criminal destruction of property.
A 51-year-old protester from the city centre was also arrested and charged with disorderly behaviour, with his court appearance scheduled for Saturday.
Two 14-year-old boys were also apprehended in Derry after several petrol bombs were discovered by police near Spencer Road. One of the teens was charged with suspicious possession of petrol bombs, while the other has been charged with the possession of implements intended for use with petrol bombs. Both were brought before a special sitting of the Dungannon Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
A 37-year-old man was arrested in Portrush, suspected of intentional incitement to riot based on his online activities, and continues to remain in police custody. Another man, aged 48, was arrested from Belfast on similar charges and also remains under police guard.
As part of an investigation into disorderly conduct that took place at Broadway Roundabout on July 15th and 16th, police arrested a 14-year-old boy on charges of rioting and possession of a potential weapon. The boy is currently in police custody assisting officers with investigations.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones spoke out about the incidents, insisting that the police are actively investigating all reports relating to the recent civil unrest and will be making additional arrests. Jones also praised the support shown by local communities for their neighbours who have chosen to call Northern Ireland their home.
This comes in the wake of an anti-racism demonstration in Belfast, where thousands took to the streets to protest – as reported by the Press Association.