Summary

  • After two nights of unrest, pockets of protests held across Northern Ireland have passed off peacefully

  • Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson says extra officers and police dogs will be deployed, and those behind the violence will be brought to "justice"

  • His warning comes after twelve officers were injured and 16 people arrested in the second night of rioting prompted by a serious knife attack in Belfast

  • Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland secretary, says a sense of fear "has spread amongst ethnic minority people" after the violence

  • A woman whose address was posted online has said she is scared and no longer feels safe in Northern Ireland

  • OFCOM have ordered social media platforms to clamp down on misinformation and hatred being spread online following disorder

  • Local resident Paul Sharkey tells the BBC he felt "petrified" last night, saying he witnessed a masked man walking up his street "setting fire to homes"

  • Trade union Unison says a nurse with "a different skin colour" was chased on their way to work by four masked men

Live Reporting

Edited by Rebekah Logan in Belfast

  1. 'They're destroying their own communities,' NI deputy first minister tells BBC

    Emma Little-Pengelly is pictured speaking to the BBC on a video livestream from what appears to be her home, with pictures on the wall in the background.

    Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Emma Little-Pengelly says the violent scenes from Belfast have "appalled and horrified absolutely everyone".

    She tells the BBC's Breakfast programme that while some peaceful protesters do have legitimate concerns, others seem determined to cause "violence, thuggery and disorder".

    "That is absolutely wrong," she says. "We of course have been united in calling for that to stop immediately."

    In response to a question about people being targeted because of the colour of their skin, Little-Pengelly says she strongly condemns those motivated by racism.

    "All they are doing is destroying their own communities, and they are destroying the very cause that they claim to be supporting."

  2. Water cannon deployed after second night of unrest following Belfast stabbing

    Police deploy a water cannon against rioters in Belfast.PA Media

    Northern Ireland is waking following another night of violent unrest which saw police deploy a water cannon against black-clad rioters in Glengormley - just outside of Belfast.

    Wednesday's violence came after crowds of masked men set fire to homes, cars and a bus the previous day following a serious knife attack in Belfast on Monday night.

    Hadi Alodid, 30, originally from Sudan, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder. The family of Stephen Ogilvie, who suffered serious injuries in the attack, appealed for calm on the streets, urging against the incident being "used to divide people or fuel hostility".

    They echoed calls from Northern Irish and UK leaders, with the prime minister calling acts of violence and arson "unjustified".

    BBC's Breakfast programme is hearing from Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Emma Little-Pengelly, with Hilary Benn, the UK secretary of state for Northern Ireland, also expected to speak soon.

    We'll bring you their latest comments here.