LAST UPDATE | 12 Jun

POLICE IN NORTHERN Ireland have arrested 19 people and charged 12 in connection with the recent riots and racist attacks that took place in Belfast and elsewhere this week.

Assistant chief constable Ryan Henderson said the force’s Public Order Enquiry Team has been “working relentlessly to identify and arrest individuals involved in the recent disorder on our streets”.

He said that so far 21 suspects have been identified and 19 arrests have been made.

Twelve people have been charged to appear at court and all 12 were remanded in custody.

“Let this serve as a warning to those who have taken part in the shameful scenes we have seen over the last few days,” Henderson said.

“Further arrests will be made as we continue to release images of individuals we want to identify, as we strive to deliver justice for those who have been affected by the disorder, racially-motivated attacks and hate-filled social media posts.”

“I re-iterate my call for calm over the weekend ahead and ask that anyone involved in protests does so peacefully.”

Images of people the PSNI want to speak to in connection with the disorder are being released regularly through “Op Exposure”.

There was a reduction in the level of disorder across Northern Ireland last night but the PSNI said it will continue its policing operation over the weekend to “ensure public order is maintained”.

The PSNI has also said that “it’s clear that Belfast city centre is very much open for business”.

Disorder flared in response to a knife attack on Monday night in Belfast in which a man suffered significant injuries, including the loss of his left eye.

Stephen Ogilvie, in his 40s, also suffered deep cuts to his head, face and back in the stabbing attack.

On Thursday it was said he remained in an induced coma, but his condition was said to be improving.

Sudanese national Hadi Alodid (30) appeared in court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder over Monday’s knife attack.

On Tuesday night, mobs set homes, a bus and cars on fire in Belfast, with people targeted based on their race.

Water cannons were deployed in Co Antrim on Wednesday after police were pelted with bricks and a Department for Infrastructure vehicle was left in flames.

There was also serious unrest in Portadown, Co Armagh. Twelve police officers were injured on Wednesday evening.

Foreign national healthcare workers have also been subject to threats and intimidation, with one being “chased” by four masked men while on her way to work.

However, PSNI assistant chief constable Ryan Henderson said there was a marked reduction in the level of disorder on Thursday night.

Over 200 extra officers were on the streets last night from across the UK.

“Thankfully, the situation was much calmer than we have seen in recent days,” said Henderson.

However, he said the PSNI’s policing operation “will remain over the weekend to ensure public order is maintained”.

Henderson said there were “peaceful protests at a number of locations last night”, including Newtownabbey, but that there had been “no significant incidents of public disorder”.

He said officers engaged with participants “supporting their right to express their views lawfully”.

Henderson said officers were dealing with “some lower level disturbances” last night and had kept “focus on patrols of key areas”.

There was an arson attack on a house in the Shore Road area of north Belfast and reports of race-hate graffiti in the Dee Street and Newtownards Road area of east Belfast.

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Elsewhere, the PSNI today met with stakeholders from the business community within Belfast.

Belfast area commander chief superintendent Amanda Ford briefed the meeting on the “proactive measures being taken to support businesses, workers, residents and visitors to the city”.

Ford described the meeting as “extremely positive” and acknowledged that the recent disorder has been “another difficult factor to face” on top of a “challenging financial environment”.

Much of Belfast city centre was closed on Wednesday afternoon due to the disorder.

“It is clear from today’s meeting that Belfast city centre is very much open for business,” said Ford, “which includes normal public transport and late night services to support the wider city events this weekend.”

She added that the “overwhelming majority of businesses are continuing to operate as normal” and encouraged the public to “enjoy everything Belfast has to offer”.

During a press conference on Wednesday, PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher said: “I just want to remind them of this: We now put the images out of those people involved in this disorder for everyone to see.

“We identify them and we prosecute them, we then put their images out when we successfully convict them.

“Do you want your images out there to reflect the sort of behaviour that we saw last night? I suggest none of them would really want that, so let’s stop it.”

Meanwhile, a number of anti-racism events have been organised in response to the unrest.

A gathering billed as a community solidarity rally will take place in west Belfast this evening, while a “Together Against Hate” demonstration is due to be held at Belfast City Hall on Saturday.

-With additional reporting from Press Association