PSNI condemns racially motivated violence in Ballymena as 15 officers injured in night of disorder

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has strongly condemned a night of racially motivated disorder in Ballymena on Monday, 9th June, which left 15 officers injured with some requiring required hospital treatment, businesses damaged, and a number of incidents now under hate crime investigations.

A planned vigil, sparked by community anger following the recent sexual assault of a young girl, began peacefully at 7.30pm in the Harryville area. Several thousand people marched through the town, reflecting widespread public concern.

The PSNI state officers were “present at the vigil to ensure an appropriate and proportionate policing response, due to the large number of people who had gathered in the area.”

However, according to police, violence erupted when a group of masked individuals splintered off near Clonavon Terrace, constructing barricades, launching missiles, and setting fires.

Over several hours, police came under sustained attack with petrol bombs, fireworks, bricks and masonry. Four homes were damaged by fire, forcing the evacuation of residents, while businesses in Galgorm Parks and six properties in Clonavon Terrace suffered smashed windows and doors.

Two police vehicles were also damaged during the disorder.

A 29-year-old man was arrested, and police discharged one Attenuating Energy Projectile (AEP), striking a rioter.

In a separate incident shortly after midnight in Tobar Park, Cullybackey, a petrol bomb was thrown at a vehicle, setting it alight and causing damage to a nearby home occupied by a woman and two children. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. This is also being treated as a racially motivated hate crime.

PSNI Condemn Violence and Confirm Hate Crime Motive

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the violence was clearly targeted at minority ethnic communities and frontline police officers:

“This violence was clearly racially motivated and targeted at our minority ethnic community and police… I want to condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms.”

He praised the courage of officers and emergency responders and pledged continued efforts to identify perpetrators, adding:

“I am hugely grateful to them for their bravery… We are actively working to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. We will have in place a significant policing presence to help protect these communities in Ballymena.”

Henderson also urged those involved to reflect on their actions, warning that consequences will follow.

“I want to condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms. It has no place in our society and should be loudly condemned by all right-thinking people.

"Last night, we made one arrest. Today, we are actively working to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.  Over the coming days, we will have in place a significant policing presence to help protect these communities in Ballymena and prevent any future disorder.”

“We are engaging with groups effected by the disorder to support and reassure them. I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday’s violent disorder to reflect long and hard about their actions, they will have consequences. I also appeal for calm over the coming days.”

Jim Allister: “Violence Undermines Legitimate Anger”

Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) Leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister issued a strongly worded statement criticising the violence, but also drawing attention to what he described as underlying frustrations within the local community:

“The scenes of disorder in Ballymena are deeply concerning. Violence on our streets is not only wrong—it undermines the legitimate anger felt over the horrific sexual assault of a young girl and the growing local concern about unchecked immigration into the town.”

Allister asserted that while the vigil represented genuine local sentiment, a minority had deliberately escalated tensions:

“The large turnout this evening demonstrates the strength of feeling in the local community—feelings which were, in the main, expressed peacefully. Sadly, the actions of a small number have cast a shadow over what was, for most, a lawful protest.”

The TUV leader also addressed the demographic impact of immigration, particularly citing the Roma community:

“The influx of Roma, in particular, into Ballymena in recent years—often arriving freely from the Republic under EU movement rules, while the UK’s internal border remains neglected—has driven rapid demographic change. The failure of successive authorities to manage integration or address local concerns has left many residents feeling ignored and disrespected.”

Despite acknowledging these grievances, Allister was unequivocal in condemning violence:

“Nevertheless, violence serves no cause. It does not help the young girl or her family, and it distracts from the very real grievances being voiced. It must stop—and be condemned by all.”

Sinn Féin’s Bréanainn Lyness: “No Room for Racism or Scapegoating”

Local Sinn Féin councillor Bréanainn Lyness stressed the need for solidarity with the victim of sexual violence, while firmly denouncing any racist retaliation:

“As the Sinn Féin councillor for Ballymena Town, I stand in solidarity with the victim of this horrific assault and her family. Sexual violence against women and girls is an abhorrent crime that must be met with justice.”

Lyness rejected attempts to collectively blame immigrant communities, highlighting their support for the victim and her family:

“While anger is justified, we must also be clear: no ethnic group is collectively responsible for the actions of individuals. In fact, our immigrant communities in Ballymena have stood in solidarity with the victims of these heinous acts of sexual abuse.”

He made a personal appeal for unity and long-term solutions:

“As a father expecting a daughter, I want this town to be safe for my child. We must prioritise protection, prosecution and prevention.”

Calling for constructive dialogue and partnership, Lyness added:

“I urge anyone with information to come forward to the PSNI, and I call for constructive dialogue—backed by proper policing and community partnerships—to address both safety concerns for women and girls.

“I support our community’s protest against this sexual violence wholeheartedly and the family’s call for justice while ensuring our community’s response remains focused on solidarity, not scapegoating.”

Appeal for Information

Police are appealing to the public for assistance in identifying those responsible for the disorder and hate crimes.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police via 101, submit a report online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport, or reach out anonymously through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org.