Police Federation slams 'violent fascist law-breakers' over Belfast riots

The Police Federation of Northern Ireland has said disorder in Belfast was caused by "violent fascist law-breakers who want to wreck Northern Ireland".

Twelve PSNI officers were injured on Wednesday night and 16 arrests were made on the second evening of unrest following the Belfast knife attack.

The riots follow the charging of Hadi Alodid, 30, for the attempted murder of NHS radiographer Stephen Ogilvie.

Footage shows the police were pelted with bricks and petrol bombs with masked rioters in County Antrim on Wednesday night.

PFNI chairman Liam Kelly said: "It is intolerable that our colleagues are bearing the brunt of street disorder. They are doing their level best to curtail, frustrate and arrest rioters.

"My thoughts are with the 12 officers who sustained injuries and who were confronted by thugs throwing bricks, masonry and petrol-bombs and used lasers directed at our frontline.

"Sixteen arrests have been made so far and police efforts will continue at pace to bring scores of others before the courts. My hope is they will be handed maximum sentences.

"General disorder and the forced re-location of innocent families should leave us shamed and angry."

He added: "Violent racist and fascist lawbreakers offer nothing but hopelessness and mindless thuggery.

"We’ve getting 200 additional officers under Mutual Aid and they will provide some much-needed relief for my colleagues.

"However, we are 700 officers below where we should be and some 1,200 short of the 7,500 that was promised.

"Lives are being turned upside down by masked cowards and it’s time this violence stopped. They are bullies who hide behind anonymous social media threats to businesses and people who come here to work in our Health Service and industries."

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Men dressed in black with their faces covered were seen knocking bricks away from properties and smashing up paving stones to use as makeshift projectiles to throw at the police.

Public transport was suspended and some schools shut early last night amid fears violence would continue into a second night.

It is still unknown what the arrests were for.

Earlier today, Sir Mark Rowley told GB News he "feels for colleagues in Police Service in Northern Ireland" and officers "don't enjoy being a political football in culture wars".

He added: "I really feel for colleagues in Police Service in Northern Ireland, they’re really dealing with some very challenging situations on the street. Of course, there’s been a couple of very contentious incidents.

"Police officers don't enjoy being a political football in the culture wars that so frequently dominate public debate.

"All they want to do out do is go out, take on criminals, protect victims and they’re out there day in and day out protecting fear or favour, and they need that public support rather than being at the centre of this sort of battle of culture wars from either side."

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