The PSNI has requested assistance from police forces in Great Britain following violence in Ballymena, a senior officer has said.
Seventeen police officers were injured during a second night of violence in Ballymena. During the course of the disorder, officers discharged a number of plastic baton rounds and the water cannon was also deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Seventeen police officers were injured during a second night of violence in Ballymena. During the course of the disorder, officers discharged a number of plastic baton rounds and the water cannon was also deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
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NewsTranscript
00:00Thank you all very much for joining us this afternoon at Police Headquarters.
00:04Last night we saw a second night of sustained rioting and disorder in Ballymena.
00:10Sadly, once again, we saw absolutely disgraceful scenes of violence on our streets.
00:16A number of other protests, attacks on homes and disorder took place in Belfast, Lisburn, Colerain, Carrickfergus and Newton Abbey.
00:25We witnessed businesses and homes being attacked and damaged along with cars set on fire.
00:33As a result, people are waking up today feeling genuine fear for their lives and their livelihoods.
00:40Police officers again came under sustained attack over a number of hours from petrol bombs, heavy masonry and had fireworks thrown at them.
00:4932 officers have now been injured over the last two nights of rioting.
00:53And I want to say publicly my admiration for the bravery and professionalism of those officers that they showed when dealing with the challenges and the violence they had to face.
01:06Those officers come from our communities to work for our communities and to make a difference in our communities.
01:13They were doing that on Monday night, last night and they will continue to do that for the days ahead.
01:19During the course of the disorder in Ballymena, after warnings were issued, authorised officers discharged 13 attenuating energy projectiles and a water cannon was deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds.
01:34For the second day, the focus of this mob violence has been upon our diverse communities and the police.
01:42This has no place, no place in any right-thinking and civilised society.
01:48Let me say in the clearest possible terms, this senseless violence is utterly unacceptable.
01:54As of this afternoon, six individuals have now been arrested for public order offences.
01:59One has been charged.
02:01All video and online footage is currently being reviewed and I assure you that prosecutions will undoubtedly come.
02:08And to those who may wish to protest and have their voice heard this evening or indeed in the days ahead, please do so peacefully and lawfully.
02:15But be aware that, as we have seen in Ballymena, others may use your peaceful intention as a cover for their own violent agenda.
02:24To those who have been affected by the violence and are feeling fear and intimidation, I want you to know that we stand with you.
02:31The Police Service of Northern Ireland stands with you.
02:34We're here to help and support you in any way that we can.
02:37Finally, I appeal to everyone across our communities in Northern Ireland to continue to publicly and loudly condemn this criminal behaviour on our streets.