Police have condemned “thuggish” rioters after a property in Portadown’s Carleton Street was attacked during a second consecutive night of disorder across Northern Ireland.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said a premises in Carleton Street came under attack at around 9pm on Wednesday, with “disorder lasting for several hours”. One officer was injured and Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs) were discharged. Five arrests were made in the town.
The Portadown violence formed part of what ACC Henderson described as “significant disorder” on Wednesday night in Belfast, Glengormley, Portadown and Derry/Londonderry.
“Firstly, I strongly condemn the disorder. This violent behaviour, by a thuggish minority, will not be tolerated,” he said.
The senior officer confirmed that, across affected areas on Wednesday night, there were 16 related arrests and 12 officers injured “following significant rioting”.
In Glengormley, officers came under sustained attack in the Antrim Road area, where flares and masonry were thrown at police. A bin lorry, car and a vacant building were set alight and a hijacked van was pushed towards officers. Water cannon was deployed, baton strikes were used and 15 AEPs were fired. Seven arrests were made there.
In Belfast, 20 masked males blocked the West Circular Road and threw missiles at police, while in the Tullyalley Road area of Derry/Londonderry, bins were used to block the road and a police vehicle was damaged.
ACC Henderson said the Police Service of Northern Ireland had launched an “Op Exposure” campaign on Thursday, releasing images of people they wish to speak to in connection with the disorder, with more to follow as detectives work to identify those involved.
“My message to those who have taken part in violence or are thinking of taking to our streets – the stakes for you are high. We will bring you to justice and I know the judiciary stands ready to give long sentences to those bringing disorder to our streets,” he said.
He warned of the wider impact on communities, noting that “businesses shut their doors, trains were not running and we saw schools closing early due to fear”.
“This is the impact these thugs are having,” he added. “Our communities in Northern Ireland deserve to get their lives back to normal.”
ACC Henderson said PSNI numbers on the ground would be “significant”, bolstered by officers from Great Britain through mutual aid, to protect communities and prevent further unrest.
“We, the PSNI, stand together with our communities. Together, we are stronger than them. I know that the public look to us to feel safe,” he said.
He stressed that while peaceful protest is a legitimate part of democratic society, what has been seen “bears no resemblance to that”, and urged people to heed the “incredibly powerful” call for calm from the family of Stephen Ogilvie, who have made clear that “violence is not in Stephen’s name”.
ACC Henderson also condemned “disgraceful threats and intimidation” directed at nurses, carers and other healthcare workers.
“Men and women who work every day to save lives and care for sick relatives… They are the backbone of our public service,” he said, adding that patrols around key locations would be increased and meetings held with health unions, business representatives and minority communities.
“The streets of Northern Ireland need to return to calm and order. Our children need to feel safe returning to their schools and businesses need to feel they can open their doors,” he said.
“Everyone with influence needs to do all in their power to get the thugs off our streets… We will be robust to bring order to our streets. We will do all in our part to bring order.”
