'There’s wee girls inside': panic as masked men storm house in Belfast
Protests across the city turned violent on Tuesday night – with some police officers acting as if it wasn’t safe to intervene
TL;DR
- Masked men stormed a house in Belfast, with some claiming to be 'liberating' it and graffiti demanding 'local homes for local people'.
- The violence followed an asylum seeker's charge with attempted murder, sparking protests promoted by far-right figures.
- Cars were set on fire, bins were pushed into a bus, and homes and a bus were torched in various parts of Belfast.
- Police appeared hesitant to intervene in some instances, with officers observed watching the chaos unfold.
- The incidents led to anxiety within the Sudanese community, with foreign-owned stores closing early and staff urged to stay home.
- Protests and violence were also reported in other UK locations, including Southampton and areas of Northern Ireland.
- Education minister Paul Givan urged people to refrain from violence and express their views peacefully.