PSNI requests UK police support as Ballymena riots escalate

Police in Northern Ireland have formally requested mutual aid from policing colleagues in the rest of the United Kingdom following a surge in violent disorder in Ballymena.

Senior officers say the move is necessary to bolster public order and protect ongoing investigations.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed on Wednesday that additional officers, vehicles, and specialist equipment are being deployed to areas affected by the unrest.

“We are taking steps to increase available resources and are surging a significant number of extra officers, vehicles and equipment to those areas where the rioting is taking place,” said Mr Henderson.

“This will have an impact on our community, this will take away vital resources needed to police other areas. It will have an impact on our ability to serve communities.”

In a significant escalation, Mr Henderson added:

“As part of my forward planning I have now activated the request for mutual aid resources from policing colleagues in Great Britain to ensure we have the necessary support and maintain public order and bring offenders to justice in the days to come.”

The request comes in the wake of serious unrest linked to public anger over an alleged sexual assault on a teenage girl in Ballymena at the weekend. The PSNI has warned that the ongoing rioting could compromise the integrity of the judicial process.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher issued a stark warning, saying the violence “risks undermining” the criminal justice process.

The disorder has placed significant strain on local police resources and disrupted policing operations across the region. Officers have been pelted with missiles and vehicles have been damaged during consecutive nights of violence.

The PSNI’s call for mutual aid highlights the seriousness of the situation, with reinforcements expected from forces across England, Scotland and Wales to help stabilise the situation.

Authorities are urging calm, warning that violent disruption will not be tolerated and may lead to serious legal consequences.

The investigation into the alleged assault continues, with the PSNI stressing that all efforts are being made to ensure a fair and thorough legal process.