Overview

• Racially motivated mobs have launched nightly attacks since Monday against Eastern European communities in Ballymena, hurling Molotov cocktails, bricks and fireworks.
• Violence has spread to Larne—where a leisure centre sheltering displaced families was torched—and to Portadown, Carrickfergus, Newtownabbey and Coleraine.
• The PSNI has deployed water cannon units and reinforcements as about 40 officers have been injured in clashes since the unrest began.
• Police have arrested 15 suspects this week, including minors, and identified a third individual abroad who faces extradition and public order charges.
• Political leaders from Keir Starmer to Michelle O’Neill have condemned the “insensate” attacks, while some residents display British flags or “Locals live here” signs to affirm they are not immigrants.