Northern Ireland police chief Jon Boutcher has warned the “bigots and racists” behind several nights of disorder in the region that his officers will be coming after them. Mr Boutcher said a young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual ­assault in Ballymena at the weekend – an ­incident that triggered protests that descended into violence in

Rioters clashed with police in Ballymena, and masked groups set fire to a recreation center in Larne, where families had been given temporary shelter.

Disorder has broken out in Northern Ireland for the third successive night, after police said people are "waking up with genuine fear for their lives" following two nights of violence in Ballymena and other areas.

Police in Northern Ireland have faced four consecutive days of violence in the wake of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena that sparked riots, leaving residents terrified

MORE rioting broke out across different towns in Northern Ireland for the third successive night on Wednesday as yobs attacked police with petrol bombs, hatchets and fireworks in the main

More than 40 police officers have been injured so far after violence in Ballymena went on for a third night. The rioting began on Monday night following an earlier peaceful protest in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area.

The PSNI has branded the violence “racist thuggery” and said officers and ethnic minorities have been targeted for attack. Michael Elliott, 18, of Lanntara, Ballymena, appeared in the dock in handcuffs and wearing a grey tracksuit on Thursday. A PSNI detective constable said he could connect him to a charge of riotous assembly.

Online safety experts have warned “there will be consequences” for anyone sharing information about homes for rioters to attack.