Belfast cops brace for second night of riots as homes boarded up, shops closed & public transport shut down

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COPS in Belfast are bracing for a second night of riots – as homes are boarded up and shops shut down across the city.

Buses and trains will stop running into the evening “due to expected protests”, public transport firm Translink said.

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Two men in high-visibility vests walk past two burnt-out cars on a street where windows of red-brick houses are boarded up. — Homes are being boarded up as the city prepares for a second night of riots Credit: Anadolu via Getty Images

Row of closed shops on Shankill Road in Belfast. — A number of businesses have closed early in anticipation of more disorder Credit: Pacemaker

A man sweeping glass from the street next to a burnt-out bus and a damaged storefront in East Belfast. — A huge clean up operation started in Belfast this morning after last night’s chaos Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk

A man with a knife over a prone, pixelated figure on the street. — Rioters took to the street in the wake of an alleged stabbing on Monday

Burnt-out buses and cars could be seen in front of charred buildings as shocking pictures laid bare the aftermath of last night’s chaos.

Rioters targeted homes they believed belonged to migrants in violent protests on the streets amid fury over a horror stabbing.

Locals were forced to flee their homes as the disorder erupted and houses were set alight during protests following Monday’s horrific knife attack.

Three people have been arrested following the violence, which also saw two police officers injured.

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Local pastor Jack McKee, who helped support those who were forced to flee the area, claimed families were targeted “because they are black”.

He told the BBC: “They’re good Christian people and they’re getting put out just because they’re black. I’m doing my best to help them.

“Men, women, children that are living in fear because of what some idiot did last night.

“I’m angry and I’m disappointed that this is the response of people in our community.”

A man in a blue and white jacket and shorts, hitting another person, whose body is blurred, with a large wooden paddle. — Hero passersby rushed over to help Stephen Credit: Unknown

Stephen Ogilvie, victim of an attack in Belfast, appears with bruises and injuries on his face, looking directly into the camera. — Victim Stephen Ogilvie was left with horror injuries Credit: Facebook

Translink said no buses would depart after 5pm and train departures will stop at 6pm “due to expected protests” this evening.

A statement read: “Passengers are advised that services may be subject to alteration or cancellation.

“Where possible, passengers should travel earlier in the day and allow extra time for their journeys.

“Suspending services is always a last resort, but the safety of our customers and staff remains our top priority.

“We want to give people as much advance notice as possible so they can plan accordingly.”

PSNI Chief Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said the disorder took Northern Ireland “back seismically”.

He said: “(Protesters) just didn’t target communities… they targeted Northern Ireland. They targeted society.

“We have got to stand up to this. We have got to stop this happening.”

NI’s Education Authority (EA) said schools may have to close due to the threat of further unrest today.

In a statement, it said: “We are all agreed maintaining the education of children and young people is a vital priority.

“While we are aware of unverified social media claims about further planned protests today, a blanket decision regarding closures for the whole of NI would be neither practical nor proportionate.

“Individual school leaders should continue to closely monitor the situation in their local area, and the commuting pathway for staff and pupils, and react as necessary and appropriate.”

A Sudanese asylum seeker was today named ahead of a court appearance over the stabbing.

Hadi Alodid was detained after Stephen Ogilvie, believed to be aged 44, was left with horror injuries in a knife attack.

Harrowing footage showed a man repeatedly slashing at the man’s face and neck as horrified onlookers screamed “get off”.

One witness could be heard shouting: “He’s trying to cut his head off.”

Cleanup and repairs after anti-immigrant riots in Belfast, Northern Ireland. — Windows are now being boarded up on homes that were gutted by the fires Credit: Getty

Police walk past a burnt-out car on Lendrick Street in Belfast following anti-immigrant riots. — Police have been assessing the damage on the streets this morning Credit: Getty

The burnt interior of a home in Belfast following anti-immigrant riots. — Sir Keir Starmer said last night’s disorder was ‘shocking and completely unacceptable’ Credit: Getty

A worker clears debris in front of a burnt-out bus in East Belfast. — A bus, a police car and several other vehicles were among those targeted Credit: AP

Stephen suffered injuries to his eyes as well as slash wounds to his neck and back during the assault in north Belfast on Monday.

Alodid is appearing at Belfast Magistrates’ Court today charged with attempted murder.

Sir Keir Starmer said last night’s disorder – which also saw a Turkish barbershop set alight – was “shocking and completely unacceptable”.

In a post on X, the PM said: “The scenes in Belfast last night were shocking and completely unacceptable.

“There is no justification for the violence and disorder that we saw threatening our communities, nor for those who encouraged it.

“It is clear that people were targeted last night because of their background and I will not tolerate it.

“Those responsible will feel the full force of the law. Appealing for calm must be the priority, and that is what I urge now.”

Ch Con Boutcher confirmed hundreds more officers will be drafted in from across the UK and put on the streets tonight.

He told a press conference today: “We will be on the streets tonight in numbers even more than we were last night.

“We have got arrangements in hand to get mutual aid that will be arriving here tomorrow.

“We’re looking to get a further some 200 officers to get on the streets to deal with this.”

Shocking pictures showed firefighters dousing flames as plumes of smoke rose between homes in residential streets.

Anselme Shima, a resident of Belfast, stands on a street with damaged cars and people in the background, discussing how his children were scared after violence erupted in the area. — Anselme Shima said his three children were ‘very scared’ after violence erupted Credit: PA

People inspect damage to a residential neighborhood after anti-immigrant protests and riots. — Politicians have slammed last night’s violence Credit: Reuters

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it had been called out to more than 60 incidents.

A bus, a police car and several other vehicles were among those targeted by thugs overnight.

Politicians have slammed the “thuggery” and echoed the PM’s calls for an immediate end to the violence.

NI First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “Groups of masked men burning families out of their homes is nothing less than disgusting cowardice.”

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly added: “Taking frustration at the evil actions of a person out on those who had no part in it is utterly wrong.”

Anselme Shima, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, lives near the street where the violence erupted last night.

Anselme, who has lived in Belfast since 2013, said he is worried his family – his wife, two sons and daughter – could be targeted next.

The dad-of-three said: “I’ve lived on my street for almost 10 years, I have a good relationship with my neighbours, but last night was a horrific one.

“We rushed to close the windows because of the smoke coming from the bus and then this street was on fire.

“My kids kept asking me: ‘Daddy, what is happening?’ I didn’t know what to tell them, so I put the news on for them to see for themselves.