Police in Northern Ireland have resorted to firing plastic bullets and have been reinforced by officers from Great Britain as they struggle to contain race riots that have erupted across the region. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed on Thursday that 17 attenuating energy projectiles, commonly known as plastic bullets, have been discharged since disturbances began on Tuesday. The violence has seen officers confronted by crowds hurling rocks, petrol bombs, and other missiles.
Political Condemnation of Violence
The unrest, which has specifically targeted minority ethnic individuals, was sparked by the circulation of a graphic video depicting a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday night. Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland secretary of state, strongly condemned the violence, describing it as "racist thuggery." He stated, "If you are targeting people on the basis of the colour of their skin, how else can you describe them? That is racist thuggery, there's no question about it at all."
Reinforcements and Injuries
An additional 200 officers from Great Britain are being deployed to bolster the PSNI, which is bracing for a potential third consecutive night of unrest. To date, 12 officers have been injured, and 16 people have been arrested. Police have also released images of two males wanted for questioning. The Police Federation for Northern Ireland welcomed the reinforcements but highlighted chronic under-resourcing, noting that the PSNI is 1,200 officers short of the promised 7,500. Liam Kelly, the federation's chair, expressed hope that those convicted of rioting would receive maximum sentences, stating, "Violent racist and fascist lawbreakers offer nothing but hopelessness and mindless thuggery."
Legal Proceedings and Use of Plastic Bullets
A 24-year-old woman has been charged with disorderly behaviour and possession of an article with intent to do damage, while a 28-year-old man faces charges of failing to remove a disguise when requested, obstructing police, and resisting police. Both were due to appear at Lisburn Magistrates Court on Thursday. The police ombudsman confirmed the use of plastic bullets, stating, "We have been notified by police that 'attenuating energy projectiles' have been used 17 times. Each incident will now be assessed by Police Ombudsman investigators." This confirmation came after reporters discovered plastic bullet casings near the Sandyknowes roundabout in Newtownabbey, the scene of intense clashes on Wednesday night where police also deployed water cannon.
Concerns Over Plastic Bullets
Patrick Corrigan, the Northern Ireland programme director of Amnesty International, expressed concern over the use of plastic bullets, noting, "With so many children on the streets, and the risk of serious injury via direct hit or ricochet, there is a significant risk in their use in current circumstances." Meanwhile, further reports emerged of intimidation against immigrants and minority ethnic families. The South Eastern Trust reported that four masked men chased a nurse on her way to work, condemning the attack as racist. The trust stated, "We utterly condemn this racist attack. This nurse bravely insisted on remaining in the hospital to care for the most vulnerable in our community. Her behaviour is in stark contrast to the behaviour of the people who terrified her as she tried to do her job."
Social Media Threats and Political Debate
Lists purportedly revealing names and addresses of foreigners have circulated on social media. At least one property management company has contacted tenants appearing on such lists, advising them to keep their homes safe and secure, according to the Irish News. The case of Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese man charged with attempting to murder Stephen Ogilvie on Monday night, has stirred political debate. Alodid, who travelled from Sudan to Paris, then Dublin, and finally to Belfast in 2023, was granted asylum under a fast-track application scheme without an interview and given five years leave to remain in the UK until 2028. Benn attributed the system to the previous Conservative government, noting that asylum seekers are now interviewed in "almost all cases." Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, apologised for the situation, stating, "I wasn't leader at the time, I also wasn't in the Home Office at the time. All I can do is apologise to people." She noted that the home secretary at the time, Suella Braverman, and immigration minister, Robert Jenrick, have both since defected to Reform UK.
