A number of protests in Belfast city centre yesterday passed off largely without incident, however police are investigating a number of overnight reports of damage to property and vehicles.
A mosque on Greenwell Street in Newtownards was attacked at around 1am. A petrol bomb was thrown but failed to ignite and racist graffiti was daubed on the building.
Cars were set alight in Tavanagh Street and Sandhurst Gardens in Belfast and both are, at this time, being treated as racially motivated hate crimes.
The rear door of a restaurant on Ormeau Road was also kicked and racial slurs shouted to the workers inside.
A total of five further arrests were made on Friday, bringing the total number of people arrested to 31. A 22 year old man was arrested following yesterday’s protests in Belfast when he threw a bottle at a police vehicle. He has since been charged with offences including disorderly behaviour and criminal damage. He’s due to appear in court on 6 September.
A 51 year old man also arrested following the city centre protest activity has also been charged with disorderly behaviour and will appear in court today, Saturday 10 August.
Meanwhile two 14 year old boys were arrested in Derry/Londonderry after a number of petrol bombs were found by police in the vicinity of Spencer Road. Both remain in custody at present on suspicion of offences including possessing petrol bombs in suspicious circumstances. A 37 year old man was arrested in Portrush on suspicion of ‘intentionally encouraging riot’ in relation to online activity. He remains in police custody at present.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: “We continue to investigate all reports made to us in relation to the recent disorder on our streets and we will be making further arrests. The outpouring of support from our communities for their neighbours who have chosen to make Northern Ireland their home has been heartening, and more accurately reflects the views of most of the citizens of Northern Ireland.
We will continue to have a significant visible policing operation in place across Northern Ireland over the weekend to ensure our communities are kept safe.
Anyone with any information that could assist the police investigation into recent disorder and associated crimes can contact our Public Order Enquiry Team, who are also continuing to review footage. You can also submit information, images and footage to our Major Incident Public Portal here: https://mipp.police.uk/
A 55 year old arrested earlier on Friday on suspicion of Publishing Written Material Intended to Stir Up Hatred remains in custody, while a 53 year old male arrested under Section 41 TACT 2000 has been released following questioning. Police enquiries continue.