Violent clashes continued for a third night in Northern Ireland's Ballymena region, as protesters were seen throwing petrol bombs and masonry at police forces.
Despite the police's attempts to quell the riots, tensions remained high in surrounding areas, reaching Belfast, as cars were set ablaze and police barricades breached.
Riots began on Monday following an organised vigil to mourn a sexual assault that occurred over the weekend.
Assistant Chief Constable, Ryan Henderson claimed that “this violence was clearly racially motivated and targeted at our minority ethnic community and police.”
The town of Ballymena is home to a significant immigrant population, who remained the prime target of the riots and unrest.
Two teenage boys, who had been charged with attempted rape, appeared in court on Monday denying all charges.
Local police reported that the tensions began when a group of masked individuals, separated from the otherwise peaceful vigil, started building barricades and attacking private properties.
The deployed security forces also faced the “sustained attacks” with bricks, fireworks, and petrol bombs being thrown by the mostly masked rioters.
On Wednesday, an estimated crowd of 200 people watched as police vans echoed warnings of using force against violent individuals. This resulted in rocks being reportedly thrown at the police vans and one individual allegedly kicking the bonnet of one of the vans.
According to CNN, 32 individuals were injured, with some requiring hospitalisation.
Private property throughout the town has also faced extensive damage, with an alleged 4 houses damaged by fire and broken doors and windows.
Last year, England and Northern Ireland experienced similar racially motivated riots following the stabbing of three young girls in Southport, which resulted in exacerbated far-right extremism, which UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned.
A report by Queen Mary University of London analysed the UK riots, suggesting that misinformation remained at the forefront, acting as a catalyst for rioters.
Police in Ballymena are continuing to investigate the property damage in the town, as well as the racially motivated hate crimes unfolding across the region.
