RIOTING has broken out in a town in Northern Ireland with missiles being thrown at cops and homes burning.
Armoured police officers responded to an anti-immigration protest in Ballymena, Co Antrim, on Monday evening.
PacemakerA riot broke out in Ballymena on Monday[/caption]
PacemakerLocals lit barricades on fire during the riot[/caption]
PacemakerFirefighters responded to the burning debris on the road and inspected a nearby house which had filled with smoke[/caption]
Around 2,500 people gathered in Clonavon Terrace to protest after a teenage girl was the victim of an alleged sexual assault over the weekend.
But the demonstration turned violent, with locals burning plastic road barriers and bins as part of a barricade on the street.
Masked yobs also threw missiles including cans of paint and glass bottles at PSNI vehicles.
A line of police vehicles advanced towards the protesters followed by armoured officers on foot and a drone overhead.
Firefighters later responded to the burning debris on the road and inspected a nearby house which had filled with smoke.
Other footage appeared to show some protesters targeting houses by smashing windows.
The barricade built and then burnt in the middle of the street by the rioters has since been extinguished by fire crews.
In a statement, the PSNI said: “A number of missiles have been thrown towards police with damage reported to a number of properties.
“Officers are advising motorists and pedestrians to avoid the Clonavon Road area until further notice.”
The statement added: “Officers are in attendance to ensure the safety of everyone involved. They will remain in the area tonight to continue to monitor the situation.”
Chief Superintendent Sue Steen appealed for an end to the violence.
She said: “We are urging everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly. Violence and disorder will only place people at greater risk.
“Our priority is to keep the community safe, and I would appeal to everyone to work with us to bring calm to the area as quickly as possible.”
The riots came just house are two 14-year-old boys appeared in Coleraine Magistrates’ Court charged with the attempted rape of a teenage girl, the Belfast Telegraph reported.
Motorists and pedestrians have been asked to avoid the area until further notice.
The PSNI asked anyone with information to contact them on 101 or make a report online via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.
Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
PSNI Chief Superintendent Sue Steen urged people to remain calm and to act responsibly Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
