Police Deploy Water Cannon as Belfast Unrest Continues Amid Calls for Calm
Police used a water cannon to disperse rioters in Belfast on Wednesday, a night of disorder that followed a knife attack and previous night’s violence, while officials urged restraint and announced additional support from Police Scotland.
Police in Belfast deployed a water cannon on Wednesday to disperse a crowd at the Sandyknowes roundabout in Glengormley after rioters threw bricks, bottles and pieces of wood at officers. The disturbance followed a night of arson and attacks on homes, cars and a bus that occurred after a knife attack on Monday night.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said the Police Service of Northern Ireland would receive assistance from Police Scotland, including dog units, to help maintain public order. He warned that social-media companies have a heavy responsibility to remove illegal content and that new powers would be introduced next week to enforce this.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher urged the public not to be swayed by online misinformation and warned that posting addresses of private homes could constitute a criminal offence.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly described the scenes as unacceptable and condemned any actions motivated by racism, calling for an end to the violence.
The family of knife-attack victim Stephen Ogilvie, who suffered serious injuries, appealed for restraint, stating that the tragedy should not be used to divide communities.
A court hearing on Wednesday saw Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old originally from Sudan, charged with attempted murder in connection with the knife attack.
While Wednesday’s unrest was less extensive than the previous night’s, which left 27 people homeless and injured two police officers, authorities continue to monitor the situation and investigate online posts that may endanger residents.
