Policing Board members condemn violence
Last updated 7th Apr 2021
Members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board have today (Wednesday) called for calm after they received a briefing from the Chief Constable, Simon Byrne on the recent violence and disorder across the country.
Those who sit on the board have also unanimously condemned the recent violence directed at PSNI officers.
The meeting comes after 41 police officers were injured since Friday after several nights of violence erupted on the streets in recent days.
The most intense clashes were witnessed on Monday in Ballymena, when nine riot police officers were injured after they intervened in unlawful march of loyalists through the town.
During the unrest, debris, including a wheelie bin, was thrown onto the M2 motorway, forcing its closure.
Disorder also flared in parts of Carrickfergus, Newtownabbey, and Londonderry on Monday, with petrol bombs and other missiles thrown at officers.
The violence comes amid soaring tensions within the loyalist community over post-Brexit trading arrangements, which have created new regulatory and customs barriers between NI and the rest of the UK.
Anger ramped up further last week following a decision not to prosecute 24 Sinn Fein politicians for attending a large-scale republican funeral during Covid-19 restrictions.
Speaking after the meeting, Policing Board Chair Doug Garrett said:
“Board Members are unanimous in their condemnation of the recent disorder on our streets and violence directed at police officers.
“It is truly shocking that in a short space of time, 41 officers have sustained injuries.
“We thank all the officers who have been on duty for their work to contain and restore order, and trust that those officers injured make a full and speedy recovery.
“We welcome that arrests have been made by the police in response to the disorder.
“Anyone engaged in violence must be brought to justice but it is undoubtedly concerning to hear that so many young people have been drawn into the attacks on the police and the consequences that criminalisation may have for their lives.
“At this time, there must be a redoubling of efforts to calm tensions and for continued dialogue between the community and police officers at all levels of the PSNI.
“Nothing is achieved without talking, and leadership is needed from all those with influence so that any concerns can be addressed through the democratic structures in place; and through the Board mechanisms for policing oversight and accountability.”
The Northern Ireland Assembly is due to be recalled for an emergency debate tomorrow (Thursday) after the Justice Minister, Naomi Long, called for MLAs to debate a motion condemning the recent attacks.
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