Latest news with #MelanieJones
Leader Live
17-06-2025
- Leader Live
Further five arrests made by police investigating disorder
Police have said the latest arrests include a 25-year-old man who has been detained in connection with an arson attack on Larne Leisure Centre, and a 13-year-old girl who has been charged with rioting. The leisure centre was significantly damaged following the incident last Wednesday. The 25-year-old man was arrested following the search of a house in Larne at the weekend on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. The disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town last weekend. Two 14-year-old boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged with attempted rape. A peaceful protest on Monday evening about the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities. The PSNI described the scenes as 'racist thuggery'. The disturbances in the Co Antrim town continued for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine. By Monday morning police said 28 arrests have been made in relation to the disorder, and they expect to make further arrests in the coming days and weeks. Four people were due to appear before court on Monday, including a 13-year-old girl charged with rioting by officers investigating disorder in Ballymena on Wednesday June 11. A 40-year-old man was charged with riot following the first night of the disorder in Ballymena on Monday June 9, and a 33-year-old woman has been charged with child cruelty relating to the disorder. Detectives investigating online posts relating to recent public disorder have charged a 32-year-old man to court. He has been charged with sending menacing messages through a public electronic communications network and with encouraging or assisting offences believing one or more will be committed. He is further charged with possession of a class B controlled drug, and was due to appear before Coleraine Magistrates' Court on Monday. Meanwhile, graffiti in Bangor and on an unoccupied house in Chadwick Street in south Belfast are being investigated as racially motivated hate crimes, and at Brompton Park in Ardoyne, around 30 youths set a wheelie bin on fire. Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said 64 police officers were injured during the disorder, but said the situation is now much calmer. 'Our heightened presence in our local communities and continued community engagement to de-escalate violence continued last night… thankfully, similar to Saturday, the situation was much calmer,' she said. 'I issued a public plea to parent/guardians and families of young people who have been driving the criminal activity in some areas to warn them of the serious consequences of their actions. 'I am asking for continued conversations amongst local families to deter young people from criminalising themselves.' Ms Jones said the chief constable Jon Boutcher and other senior members of the PSNI have been meeting with local community representatives of those affected over the weekend. 'Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets. So, just as we will seek justice for women and girls who report heinous crimes to us, we will also seek justice for local innocent families who are being targeted by criminality fuelled by hate,' she said. 'We will continue to robustly investigate the disorder over the last number of days but do not want to see any more young people criminalised by being caught up in this activity. 'Thankfully, none of our officers policing this disorder reported being injured on duty last night. We have 64 of our colleagues currently recovering from injury and I commend their bravery and unwavering efforts.' She also reiterated an appeal for information around images released by police of a number of individuals they wish to interview. 'If you are able to identify any of the people shown in these images or can provide information about them you should contact us on 101 or on our major incident portal, which is accessible on our website,' she said. 'I would also like to reassure the communities that we serve that we will continue to maintain our presence and protect streets. 'We are grateful for the support of all who condemn this criminality and would, once more, repeat our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days.'
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Yahoo
Girl, 13, charged with rioting over Ballymena disorder
A 13-year-old girl has been charged with rioting over disorder that broke out in Northern Ireland last week. Ballymena and other nearby areas saw five consecutive nights of violence after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the County Antrim town. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said five more people have been arrested in connection with the disorder - bringing the total number to 29. The latest arrests include the 13-year-old girl who has been charged with rioting over the third night of disorder in Ballymena last Wednesday. A 33-year-old woman has also been charged with child cruelty relating to the disorder. A 25-year-old man has been detained in connection with an arson attack on Larne Leisure Centre, which was significantly damaged. He was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. A 40-year-old man has been charged with rioting on 9 June - the first night of disorder. Meanwhile, a 32-year-old man has been charged with sending menacing messages through a public electronic communications network, and with encouraging or assisting offences, believing one or more will be committed. He was further charged with possession of a Class B controlled drug. The violent disorder following a peaceful protest supporting the family of a girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted in the area. Two 14-year-old boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged with attempted rape. Read more:Why Ballymena became site of anti-immigration riotsMan describes having brick smashed through window during riots The disturbances continued for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine. Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said "thankfully, similar to Saturday, the situation was much calmer" in Northern Ireland on Sunday night. She added that 64 officers injured throughout last week are recovering.
ITV News
16-06-2025
- ITV News
Police working ‘night and day' to catch those involved in Northern Ireland riots
Police are working 'night and day' to catch those involved in rioting in Northern Ireland, a senior officer has said. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has welcomed a reduction in disorder on Saturday night following several days of sustained rioting and attacks on officers. The force said there were 'sporadic disturbances' on Saturday which included youths throwing stones in Lurgan and an attempt to attack a vehicle in Carrickfergus. Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: 'Our heightened presence in our local communities and continued community engagement to de-escalate violence continued last night, but thankfully, the situation was much calmer than we have seen in recent days. 'I issued a public plea to parent/guardians and families of young people who have been driving the criminal activity in some areas to warn them of the serious consequences of their actions. 'I am asking for continued conversations amongst local families to deter young people from criminalising themselves.' The disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town last weekend. Two 14-year-old boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged with attempted rape. A peaceful protest on Monday evening about the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities. The PSNI described the scenes as 'racist thuggery'. The disturbances in the Co Antrim town continued for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine. The PSNI said officers dealt with some sporadic disturbances on Saturday, including an incident of attempted criminal damage to a vehicle in Carrickfergus. A 40-year-old man has been charged over the incident and will appear in court next month, Following a report of a group of people throwing bottles at addresses in Lurgan, two boys, aged 14 and 12, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage before being street bailed. Detectives investigating online posts relating to recent public disorder arrested a 32-year-old man in the Larne area on Saturday on suspicion of encouraging or assisting offences and possession of a class B controlled drug. He remains in custody. Ms Jones said: 'Our public order inquiry Team are working day and night to identify those who have been involved in the disorder over the last number of days. 'Our Chief Constable and other members of the senior team have been meeting with local community representatives of those affected over the weekend so we can support them as best we can and offer reassurance of our policing operation to restore calm. 'Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets. So, just as we will seek justice for women and girls who report heinous crimes to us, we will also seek justice for local innocent families who are being targeted by criminality fuelled by hate. 'To date, we have made 24 arrests, 14 of which have resulted in individuals being charged to court. 'We will continue to robustly investigate the disorder over the last number of days but do not want to see any more young people criminalised by being caught up in this activity.' She added: 'Sixty-four of our colleagues have been injured and I commend their bravery and determination. 'Their unwavering efforts over the last number of days have resulted in a reduction of disorder and I hope the local communities who have been targeted have felt the support of our frontline teams. 'To come under sustained attack when you are there to serve and protect all is disheartening to say the least. 'They have been steadfast in their commitment to restore peace and I am proud of them all.' Police have also released images of people they want to speak to in relation to the disturbances. Ms Jones said: 'I am asking the wider community to step forward and help us. 'It is in all of our interests, and in the interests of justice, that those responsible are dealt with and I would urge anyone who may have information to bring it forward. 'If you are able to identify any of the people shown in these images or can provide information about them you should contact us on 101 or on our major incident portal, which is accessible on our website. 'I would also like to reassure the communities that we serve that we will continue to maintain our presence and protect streets. 'We are grateful for the support of all who condemn this criminality and would, once more, repeat our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days.'
ITV News
16-06-2025
- ITV News
Police warn of further arrests as 28 held over violent race riots in Northern Ireland
A 13-year-old girl is among those charged with rioting following week long disorder in Northern Ireland last week. Five further arrests have been made by police investigating the riots. The disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town last 14-year-old Romanian boys have been charged with attempted rape. Hundreds attend anti-racism rally after week of violence A peaceful protest on Monday evening about the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities. Police have said the latest arrests include a 25-year-old man who has been detained in connection with an arson attack on Larne Leisure Centre, and a 13-year-old girl who has been charged with rioting in Ballymena. The leisure centre was significantly damaged following an incident in Larne last 25-year-old man was arrested following the search of a house in Larne at the weekend on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger PSNI described the scenes as 'racist thuggery'. The disturbances in the Co Antrim town continued for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Monday morning police said 28 arrests have been made in relation to the disorder, and they expect to make further arrests in the coming days and people were due to appear before court on Monday, including a 13-year-old girl charged with rioting by officers investigating disorder in Ballymena on Wednesday June 11.A 40-year-old man was charged with riot following the first night of the disorder in Ballymena on Monday June 9, and a 33-year-old woman has been charged with child cruelty relating to the investigating online posts relating to recent public disorder have charged a 32-year-old man to has been charged with sending menacing messages through a public electronic communications network and with encouraging or assisting offences believing one or more will be is further charged with possession of a class B controlled drug, and was due to appear before Coleraine Magistrates' Court on graffiti in Bangor and on an unoccupied house in Chadwick Street in south Belfast are being investigated as racially motivated hate crimes, and at Brompton Park in Ardoyne, around 30 youths set a wheelie bin on Chief Constable Melanie Jones said 64 police officers were injured during the disorder, but said the situation is now much calmer.'Our heightened presence in our local communities and continued community engagement to de-escalate violence continued last night… thankfully, similar to Saturday, the situation was much calmer,' she said.'I issued a public plea to parent/guardians and families of young people who have been driving the criminal activity in some areas to warn them of the serious consequences of their actions.'I am asking for continued conversations amongst local families to deter young people from criminalising themselves.'Ms Jones said the chief constable Jon Boutcher and other senior members of the PSNI have been meeting with local community representatives of those affected over the weekend.'Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets. So, just as we will seek justice for women and girls who report heinous crimes to us, we will also seek justice for local innocent families who are being targeted by criminality fuelled by hate,' she said.'We will continue to robustly investigate the disorder over the last number of days but do not want to see any more young people criminalised by being caught up in this activity.'Thankfully, none of our officers policing this disorder reported being injured on duty last night. We have 64 of our colleagues currently recovering from injury and I commend their bravery and unwavering efforts.'She also reiterated an appeal for information around images released by police of a number of individuals they wish to interview.'If you are able to identify any of the people shown in these images or can provide information about them you should contact us on 101 or on our major incident portal, which is accessible on our website,' she said.'I would also like to reassure the communities that we serve that we will continue to maintain our presence and protect streets.'We are grateful for the support of all who condemn this criminality and would, once more, repeat our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days.'
Sunday World
16-06-2025
- Sunday World
Girl (13) among those charged following race riots in NI
There has been five more arrested over Larne Leisure Centre arson In an update on Monday, the PSNI also said they have made five more arrests in connection with the arson attack on Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday – including a man in his 20s and another man aged 25 who remains in police custody. Police confirmed the total number of people arrested now stands at 28 and said there will be 'more to come in the coming days and weeks'. While the PSNI said there was a 'reduced level of disorder on Sunday', they confirmed officers still dealt with 'sporadic disturbances in different locations'. The violence in Ballymena last week, which then spread to other areas of Northern Ireland, was sparked following an alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl in the Clonavon Terrace area. The two 14-year-old boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were charged with attempted rape at Coleraine Magistrates Court. They spoke through a Romanian interpreter. That violence also reached Larne, where people targeted the leisure centre after it emerged the building had been the building being used as a temporary shelter for families who had to flee their homes. A fire at the entrance to Larne Leisure Centre Police said the 25-year-old man was arrested is being held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life in relation to the fire at the centre. A PSNI spokesperson added: 'Four have been charged to appear before court today, Monday 16th June. This includes a girl aged 13 who has been charged with riot by officers investigating disorder in Ballymena on Wednesday, 11th June and a man aged 40, also charged with riot following the first night of the disorder in Ballymena on Monday, 9th June. "A 33-year-old woman has been charged with child cruelty relating to the disorder. 'Meanwhile, detectives investigating online posts relating to recent public disorder have charged a 32-year-old man to court. "He has been charged with sending menacing messages through a public electronic communications network and with encouraging or assisting offences believing one or more will be committed. Larne Leisure Centre was damaged during the disturbances "He is further charged with possession of a class B controlled drug. He is due to appear before Coleraine Magistrates' Court today, Monday, 16th June. 'Graffiti in Bangor and on an unoccupied house in Chadwick Street in south Belfast are being investigated as race-motivated hate crimes. 'In Brompton Park in Ardoyne, around 30 youths set a wheelie bin on fire, no damage was caused to shops and, following engagement, no serious disorder ensued.' Police deal with a second night of disorder in Ballymena on June 10th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Police deal with a third night of violence in Ballymena Speaking about the disorder, Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones added: 'Our heightened presence in our local communities and continued community engagement to de-escalate violence continued last night, thankfully, similar to Saturday, the situation was much calmer. 'I issued a public plea to parent/guardians and families of young people who have been driving the criminal activity in some areas to warn them of the serious consequences of their actions. I am asking for continued conversations amongst local families to deter young people from criminalising themselves." On Friday, the PSNI also released images of four individuals they wish to identify, while warning social media users about posting hate online. ACC Jones added: 'Our Chief Constable and other members of the senior team have been meeting with local community representatives of those affected over the weekend so we can support them as best we can and offer reassurance of our policing operation to restore calm. 'Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets. So, just as we will seek justice for women and girls who report heinous crimes to us, we will also seek justice for local innocent families who are being targeted by criminality fuelled by hate. 'We will continue to robustly investigate the disorder over the last number of days but do not want to see any more young people criminalised by being caught up in this activity. 'Thankfully, none of our officers policing this disorder reported being injured on duty last night. We have 64 of our colleagues currently recovering from injury and I commend their bravery and unwavering efforts. A second night of protests take place in Ballymena on June 10th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott) 'As our investigation continues, we have already released images of a number of individuals we want to identify and interview in connection with our ongoing investigation. In releasing these images, I am asking the wider community to step forward and help us. It is in all of our interests, and in the interests of justice, that those responsible are dealt with and I would urge anyone who may have information to bring it forward. 'If you are able to identify any of the people shown in these images or can provide information about them you should contact us on 101 or on our major incident portal, which is accessible on our website. 'I would also like to reassure the communities that we serve that we will continue to maintain our presence and protect streets. 'We are grateful for the support of all who condemn this criminality and would, once more, repeat our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days.' Police deal with a second night of disorder in Ballymena on June 10th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott) News in 90 seconds - 16th June 2025
