PSNI used 'considerable restraint' firing baton rounds during Northern Ireland riots
Chief executive of the Police Ombudsman's Office Hugh Hume said the PSNI used Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs) 32 times on five dates to help control disorder.
Violence erupted in Ballymena in June after the alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town.
Two 14-year-old boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, were charged with attempted rape.
A peaceful protest about the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities, which was described by police as 'racist thuggery'.
The disturbances lasted for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine.
Police also dealt with several nights of disorder in Londonderry, which Chief Constable Jon Boutcher described as 'blatant sectarian violence'.
More than 80 police officers were injured in the violence across several locations.
The PSNI use of AEPs, commonly known as baton rounds, has been criticised by some victims' organisations in Northern Ireland.
Mr Hume said: 'Assessing the police use of force in response to the disorder required extensive work, including the review of more than 100 pieces of body worn video, amounting to more than 20 hours of footage.
'It is clear from this evidence that police commanders did not authorise any use of force until all other options had been exhausted.
'In the face of sustained and significant violence, which resulted in multiple police officers being injured, police showed considerable restraint and a consistent, proportionate response.'
The Police Ombudsman received two complaints about use of force in the recent public disorder.
One, which concerned a member of the public being hit by AEPs, was closed as being without foundation.
A further complaint in which a member of the public alleges they were hit on the leg with a baton, remains open.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
More protests held outside migrant hotels across UK as anger over crisis continues to rise
Hundreds clashed outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex HOTELS STAND-OFF More protests held outside migrant hotels across UK as anger over crisis continues to rise MORE protests have been held outside migrant hotels across the country yesterday as anger over the issue continues to rise. Another demonstration was held nearby to the Brittania International Hotel in Canary Wharf, East London — which had been revealed earlier this week to be set to house asylum-seekers. Advertisement 4 Further protests have been held outside migrant hotels across the UK Credit: Gary Stone 4 A man is held by cops during the demonstration by The Bell Hotel, Epping Credit: LNP 4 The two groups of protesters in Epping face off against each other Credit: PA The large group of various ethnicities held a banner saying: 'Stop calling us far right. "Protect our women and children.' Meanwhile, rival groups clashed outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex. Around 300 anti-migrant protesters had been kept in one fenced-off pen while around 500 in the pro-migrant group were in another, with cops between them. Advertisement Around 500 officers from 31 forces across England and Wales attended — with three arrests reported by Essex Police, including a woman on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence. It was the latest incident in Epping since Ethiopian asylum-seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was accused of sexual assault. He has denied three charges. Elsewhere, around 250 protested near the Brook Hotel in Norwich, while more than 200 stood outside a migrant hotel in Altrincham, Gtr Manchester. Advertisement Other gatherings over the weekend have been reported in Portsmouth, Bournemouth and Leeds. Migrant hotel protests spread across the country with more planned today as cops clamp down on weekend of stand-offs 4 A demonstration was held nearby to the Brittania International Hotel in Canary Wharf, East London Credit: Gary Stone Four in 10 sex attack charges non-Brits Exclusive by Jack Elsom NEARLY four in ten people charged over sex attacks in London in the last seven years are foreign nationals, police figures show. Non-Brits are thought to be behind 2,809 out of 7,798 such crimes — 36 per cent — but make up less than a quarter of the city's population. A further 358 charged are of unknown nationality, meaning the foreigner total may be higher. Brits accounted for 4,631 charges. The largest cohort of foreign suspects were Romanian at 308, but Afghans are the most prolific by share of population at 89. The Centre for Migration Control obtained figures on nationalities of those charged with sex offences since 2018. It said: 'The spike in sexual offences against women and girls is directly attributable to our open borders.' The Home Office said: 'We continue to deport foreign nationals who commit heinous crimes in the UK.'
Belfast Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
PSNI seize knife and drugs from Glider passenger in west Belfast
A flick knife and drugs were seized from a passenger on the Glider bus in west Belfast on Friday, police have said. A spokesperson for the PSNI said officers from the Safe Transport Team had been conducting patrols on board the Glider network. "During our patrols many people commented how they were pleased to see Police on board services due to ongoing anti social behaviour concerns,' they said. 'Whilst on board, officers detained one male passenger for a search and located a small quantity of Class B Drugs and more concerningly, a flick knife. "The dangers of carrying a knife are self explanatory and can some times lead to tragic consequences. The male will now be investigated for these offences.' It comes after Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins outlined plans in February to extend the Glider service to north and south Belfast. As part of the development, there will be more 'bus priority measures' in the city. And there is anger after two elements of the scheme were dropped for now, with plans to run the Glider to Carryduff, and separately to Glengormley, not proceeding. The full scheme will not be completed until 2030 at the earliest. The Glider service of tram-like buses opened in September 2018. It currently runs from the McKinstry roundabout in west Belfast to Dundonald park-and-ride in east Belfast via the city centre. A second line connects the city centre to the Titanic Quarter. Ms Kimmins said the Glider 'has been a huge success' and has helped transform and modernise public transport services in east and west Belfast. She said extending the service to the north and south will bring 'the benefits of the Glider service to communities living along this route'. But there was anger after plans to extend the service beyond Cairnshill Park and Ride to Carryduff, and separately to Glengormley, were dropped. Ms Kimmins said that funding and feasibility studies led her to conclude "that any extension of the Glider service beyond Cairnshill Road Park and Ride towards Carryduff is not economically viable at this time but will be re-examined when further development along this route is realised'. She also said that 'significant congestion within Glengormley', as well as the pending public realm scheme and limited funding 'make it challenging to extend the service into Glengormley'.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
MLA condemns ‘organised attack by thugs' before Derry football match
SDLP's Mark H Durkan, who was at the match, said some young people had been injured Families were left terrified after trouble broke out in Londonderry before a football match last night, an MLA has said. Violent clashes unfolded before the Derry City v Bohemians League of Ireland game at the Ryan McBride Stadium. Trouble broke out in the Bogside area of Derry before kick-off. SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan, who was at the match, said some young people had been injured. He branded it an organised attack by thugs and warned someone could be killed if the trouble is not stamped out. Videos circulating online show people, some of them with their faces masked, clashing outside the stadium. Some appear to be armed with missiles and sticks. Mr Durkan condemned the trouble. He said: 'It is disgusting and disgraceful that so many football fans and families left the match in fear tonight due to violent clashes that occurred outside in what had all the hallmarks of an organised attack. 'Thugs came to Derry masked and armed with an array of weapons. 'Local young people were injured - I hope they recover swiftly. This madness must stop before someone is killed. 'It is awful that after what has been such a tremendously positive week for the city through the Foyle Cup, this is what will hit the headlines tomorrow. 'I must commend the efforts of the stewards in the Brandywell who did their very best in extremely difficult circumstances.' The match was also briefly suspended after a flare was thrown from outside the ground onto the pitch. Sinn Fein MLA Padraig Delargy said 'so-called supporters from Dublin' attacked local people. 'The sight of masked youths armed with an array of weapons, and fighting in the streets before turning on the PSNI was terrifying for local residents, including children, who witnessed this appalling violence,' he said. 'In what seems to have been be a pre-arranged attack connected to a football match at the Brandywell, the violence erupted when so-called football supporters from Dublin attacked local youths as well as cars and property belonging to residents. "That is disgraceful and the violence that took place on our streets needs to be condemned. "It threatened the safety and well-being of local residents and stands in stark contrast to the fantastic work that is going on in the area through the Féile and the redevelopment of Meenan Square.' The PSNI, Derry City and Bohemians have been contacted for comment.
