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Man arrested after PSNI attacked during second night of disorder in south Belfast














Police deal with a second night of disorder on July 16th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

A man has been arrested following a second night of rioting in south Belfast.


The man (38) was arrested as the Broadway area of south Belfast saw another night of disorder last night with paint, bottles and a number of petrol bombs thrown at police.

Chief Superintendent Jeremy Lindsay, District Commander for Belfast, said: “Once again we are thankful that no police officers or members of the public were injured however we must be clear, this disorder, which lasted into the early hours of this morning, is completely unacceptable.

"We estimate that around 40 people, most of whom were young teens, were involved and I would urge those young people, and their parents or guardians, to really take time to think about what the consequences of this behaviour could be. The implications for your future could be immense.”

On Monday and Tuesday night officers came under sustained attack by crowds of around 40 people at Glenmachan Street close to the Broadway roundabout.

Children as young as seven were involved in throwing bricks, bottles, masonry, and petrol bombs at police lines during six hours of disorder that saw several police vehicles damaged and officers covered in paint.




Police deal with a second night of disorder on July 16th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Police had been on the ground in the area from 2pm yesterday (Tuesday), however officers came under attack shortly after 7pm when masked youths gathered in the Village area of the city.

Officers in riot gear responded, containing the group inside Glenmachan Street.

Images from the disorder show older males encouraging young children, some thought to be aged seven to get involved.

Calm was restored to the area around 1:45am today (Wednesday).

A PSNI spokesperson said at around 7am: “All road closures in south Belfast have been lifted this morning following last night's disorder; however debris remains on the roads as the clean-up operation continues. Please exercise caution if travelling in the area, and seek an alternative route if possible.”


On Monday evening, officers responded to reports of running battles between youths from the Village and St James’s areas of the city close to the Broadway Roundabout.

On arrival, officers were pelted with masonry and paint bombs.

The incident, which spanned several hours, worsened around 8.30pm when officers were forced to close the off-slips from the nearby Westlink.

Petrol and paint bombs were thrown at officers and vehicles by groups of young people.

The windscreens of three cars were shattered and splattered with paint with some damage also caused to police vehicles.


Police managed to corner a majority of the youths, most masked; in the nearby Glenmachan Street where officers and members of the public once again came under attack.


Police attacked with petrol bombs and fireworks during night of disorder in Belfast

At the height of the operation, more than 13 police Land Rovers were visible on Broadway roundabout with a police drone monitoring the situation from overhead.

As the night progressed officers once again came under attack from petrol bombs, bricks, and bottles as they monitored the crowds movements in the side streets.

Calm was restored shortly after 1am when youths dispersed as the police drone was brought down to change its batteries.

Chief Superintendent Lindsay added: “Local officers will continue to patrol the area tonight to prevent anti-social or disorderly behaviour and detect those involved. We will also continue to work alongside our partner agencies, local representatives and the community.


“I would urge the young people who have been involved and their parents or guardians to seriously consider the impact of their actions on the local community, but also on their own futures. These actions have serious consequences. My message is simple, walk away and don’t get involved in any trouble.

“I want to thank local community representatives who worked with us to restore calm and minimise the impact on the local community,” he said.




Police deal with disorder in the Village area of Belfast on July 16th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

The anti-social behaviour plagued roundabout, which sees weekly running battles involving local youths, has been at the forefront of weekly neighbourhood policing operations.

Earlier this month several UVF flags were erected on the roundabout along with an Eleventh night bonfire bearing ‘All Taigs Are Targets’ and ramblings about the Belfast Telegraph and Irish News.

South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl said she was disgusted by what happened.

“For the second time in a week, we have seen police officers attacked, this time with petrol bombs in South Belfast,” the Alliance representative said.

“I am disgusted, disappointed and angry at this. What possesses people to go out and carry out such attacks on those who are there to protect us? My thoughts are with all the officers who were attacked in this horrendous incident and I am thankful none were injured.

“Those involved have done nothing but bring misery and disruption to residents, workers and anyone else affected. These sorts of incidents are not wanted by the vast majority of people here.

“If anyone has any information on those involved in this, I urge them to take it to police immediately.”

In June, police said a vehicle and police officer had been struck by objects after they attended the area.


During the incident, police responded to reports of a female staff member being threatened at a local community farm.

Posting to social media in June, staff at St James's Community Farm said incidents of this nature have become a “regular occurrence” in recent weeks.

“About 10 male youths attacked our farm with bricks. They got into the animal field and verbally threatened a female member of staff,” they posted on Facebook.

“This has been a regular occurrence for the last three weeks. We have had wooden pallets that the goats use taken and burnt and the goats’ playground damaged.

“The animals were terrified last night with the bricks hitting the metal of our building.”



Police deal with a second night of disorder on July 16th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)