POLICE are seeking the public’s help in identifying four individuals – as investigations into the disorder in Antrim continue.
Some 17 people have been arrested so far with 13 charged with criminal offences.
A total of 63 police officers were injured during the riots, with many still working as the chaos continues.
In Portadown, Co Armagh, heavy masonry, fireworks, beer kegs and petrol bombs were thrown at police last night.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: “Last night the public will have seen large scale police deployments across Northern Ireland.
“In Portadown, police came under significant and sustained attack from rioters.
“It was clear they were intent on attacking homes and businesses in the town and on attacking the police.
“Over the course of the night we controlled the disorder using a range of public order tactics and by making proactive arrests.
“During this time police lines came under attack from heavy masonry, fireworks, beer kegs and petrol bombs.
“Very distressingly we also saw an arson attack on the home of a family with three young children in Coleraine in an awful hate motivated attack.”
Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week.
However, Henderson confirmed there was rest in Ballymena last night.
He said: “Ballymena saw no disorder and I hope the powerful words and wishes of the family who asked for calm, at what must be an unimaginably difficult time for them, were both heard and respected and will continue to be heard and respected over the coming days.”
Henderson told how officers are working tirelessly to end the violence.
He said: “Over the course of the four nights violence, 63 officers have been injured. Many of those officers stayed on the line despite their injuries.
“I commend their bravery and determination. These are men and women working to protect their communities and the attacks against them must stop.”
VIOLENCE CLAIM
The PSNI Assistant Chief Constable slammed claims that some of these protesters were protecting females.
He said: “Some of those perpetrating this violence claim to be protecting women and girls.
“This is simply not true, they are criminal acts. Destroying and vandalising local communities do not make our towns safer for women and girls and to claim otherwise is nonsense.
“Tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and we will work hard for justice for any reporting female.”
Police issued a major warning that “there will be consequences for those who choose to riot and that accountability would follow” for their actions.
Henderson said: “Our Public Order Enquiry Team are working day and night to identify those involved.
“To date we have arrested 17 people, 13 of those have been charged with criminal offences.
!Four have already been remanded in custody by the court
“I want to reiterate the strong warning made by a District Judge in Ballymena that were there is credible evidence those involved in disorder are likely to be remanded in custody and receive lengthy custodial sentences
“Those comments alongside the arrests, charges and remands of suspects should send a strong message to those who have been rioting that we are actively taking steps to find you and bring you to justice.”
WARNING
The PSNI officer issued a stark warning to anyone involved in rioting.
He said: “For those thinking about causing disorder or coming to watch it stay away as there will be consequences.
“To those posting hate on social media, inciting disorder or being seen to commit disorder we are actively investigating what you have said and what you have been captured doing.”
Cops have shared four photos of individuals they want to investigate.
Henderson continued: “Today, in the latest phase of our investigation, we are releasing the images of four individuals we want to identify and interview in connection with our ongoing investigation into the disorder of the past days.
“In releasing these images, I am asking the wider community to step forward and help us to identify these individuals.
“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.”
URGENT PLEA
The public is urged to make contact with the PSNI if they recognise these individuals or have any information.
Henderson said: “If you are able to identify any of the people shown in these images or can provide information about them should contact us on 101 or on our major incident portal, which is accessible on our website.”
Support from overseas have been deployed to NI in a bid to tackle the violence.
Henderson continued: “It is important to know over this coming weekend the public will again see a large policing presence across Northern Ireland to reassure our communities and protect our streets.
“This will include the deployment of Mutual Aid resources from Scotland and we are grateful to Chief Constable Farrell and her colleagues for their support.
“These officers, trained to work in our environment, will be working side by side with their PSNI colleagues at various locations as part of our policing operation.”
He added: “Finally, I would reiterate my appeal for calm in the days ahead. Let Northern Ireland return to normal and start the process of recovery.”
