Petrol bombs thrown at police in fifth night of violence in Northern Ireland as trouble moves to Portadown

Petrol bombs have been thrown in a fifth night of violence in Northern Ireland – with the trouble now moving from Ballymena to Portadown.

Fireworks and bottles were also hurled at police, who responded with water cannon in an effort to move people off West Street.

The unrest began on Monday in Ballymena over the alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town and the subsequent arrest of two 14-year-old boys.

Some homes have been attacked and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive said 14 families had been given emergency accommodation.

Police say the violence is fuelled by racism after the two 14-year-old suspects used a Romanian interpreter to plead not guilty in court.

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There were also reports on Friday night of damage to public property in the Tullyally area of Londonderry/Derry as police dealt with another protest.

Officers are to be sent from Scotland to bolster the response and “reassure our communities”, announced PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson.

At least 63 police have been injured over the last five days and First Minister Michelle O’Neill has hit out at the troublemakers.

“What we have seen over the last four days has been devastation, has been horrific for those people targeted – this is women and children, these are families, at the brunt of racist, violent attacks, and it is wrong on every level,” she said.

The trouble in Ballymena seemed to have largely dissipated by Thursday, instead flaring up in Portadown – although generally at a lower intensity.

Incidents have also occurred in other towns – Larne Leisure Centre was set on fire on Wednesday, while a man, woman, and four children escaped an arson attack on a house in Coleraine in the early hours of Friday.

The head of Northern Ireland’s police, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, has warned his officers will pursue the “bigots and racists” responsible.