Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
END THE VIOLENCE DEMAND
Cop calls for loyalists to call off the mob
POLICE have called for an end to the “senseless violence” that left 41 officers injured by loyalist mobs.
Chief Supt Davy Beck said “small disaffected groups linked to criminality” are responsible for the “orchestrated” disorder which has broken out in Belfast, Newtownabbey and Derry.
He added: “We are talking to a number of local councillors, community representatives and I know a number of church groups have been trying to use their influence to bring this to a stop.
“I would appeal to all people with influence to use that influence to put a stop to this.
“This doesn’t have to go on. I would appeal to the wider community not to get sucked in.
“There is absolutely no justification for any form of violence on our streets.
“If we continue with this more police officers will be hurt and injured and I don’t want to see that.
“I also don’t want to see communities attacked. We have seen some of this violence in close proximity to nursing homes, we have seen cars being hijacked [and] local communities put through this ordeal. This has to stop.” First Minister Arlene Foster has blamed “malign elements” for whipping up young people involved in violence.
She said she spoke to community workers across Northern Ireland who said part of the issue is the closure of youth centres because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Mrs Foster added: “I’ve asked the Executive to look at that urgently and to get those open immediately... so those youths can come off the streets and away from malign influences.
“I recognise there is huge anger. But if the rule of law is to mean anything, it is everybody is equal under the law. So I say to young people who are angry at this moment in time - do not get yourself a criminal record.
“There is a better way and the way is through politics.”
Of the 41 officers hurt since the violence started, Chief Supt Beck some have sustained injuries that could impact their careers.
Nine tactical support officers were the latest to come under ‘fire’ when they tried to “engage with an unnotified procession in Ballymena around 9.22pm on Monday.
As a result of that trouble a stretch of
the M2 was
closed to allow debris to be cleared. Officers also responded to disorder in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus and Ballymena on Monday shortly after 6pm on Monday and had petrol bombs and masonry hurled at them as they worked to restore order.
In Carrick, an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing articles for use with petrol bombs.
Meanwhile, in a seventh night of trouble in Derry, police came under attack as cars were set alight and petrol bombs thrown at officers.
Local Commander Darrin Jones said: “Last night, we saw further disorder in our city during which our officers came under attack again.
“Again, we saw disgraceful scenes during which cars were set on fire and property damaged.
“This is reckless and criminal behaviour, and it has to stop. It is absolutely appalling and achieves nothing except harm to our community.
“I will continue to appeal to those in our community with influence to do what they can to stop this senseless behaviour.”
Do not get a criminal record – there is a better way ARLENE FOSTER YESTERDAY