Anti-racism protesters rally in city centre

An anti-immigration protest and a counter protest in Belfast city centre have ended, with both groups peacefully dispersing.

Over the past week, sporadic violence had broken out across the city and homes and businesses had been targeted in racially-motivated attacks.

More than 1,000 anti-racism protesters gathered at Belfast City Hall on Friday to oppose an anti-immigration protest at the same location.

About 200 people gathered for it and police land rovers were moved into the middle of the road to separate the two groups.

There was a significant police presence in the area.

Police announced over loudspeaker that face coverings must be removed and failure to do so could result in arrest and prosecution.

Earlier, Ass Ch Cons Melanie Jones told a news conference that “from today [Friday] our officers may have additional powers to stop and search or require the removal of face coverings”.

She was referring to existing powers available to police within the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987.

Under section 23b, they have stop and search capabilities “in anticipation of violence”.

BBC News did not see police officers exercising those powers in the city centre.

A number of businesses around Belfast city centre announced early closing times in anticipation of potential disorder.

Some shut their doors shortly after midday.

The grounds of Belfast City Hall were closed and its gates locked.

Libraries across Belfast also announced early closures, and Queen’s University Belfast closed its buildings.

The areas around City Hall, Chichester Street, Donegall Square North, West and East in Belfast have now reopened to traffic.

President of the Belfast Chamber Gavin Annon said it was “completely unacceptable” that so many businesses decided to close early because of the threat of violence.

“These businesses are the heartbeat of our city, and the hard-working owners and staff should not have their livelihoods impacted while trying to carry out their jobs,” he continued.

He also added that the closures projected “a very poor and inaccurate impression of our city” during peak tourism season.

Translink warned passengers that services will be subject to delay and disruption today due to protests.

A number of services have put diversions in place and Translink have said they will “liaise closely with the PSNI and continue to follow their guidance – and any diversionary routes in place”.

ACC Jones encouraged those protesting to do so peacefully and to follow police advice.

“Our officers will have all the appropriate tactics to tackle disorder and criminal behaviour the likes of we have seen in the past week,” she said.

ACC Jones said police are investigating who is causing this disorder and “we will be bringing them to justice”.

“It is time for our communities to call this out for what it is, it is not acceptable.

“The scenes we have seen over Belfast over the past week are a disgrace.”

In total police said 27 arrests have been made and 22 people have been charged to date.

On Friday, the PSNI charged a 61 year old man with rioting. He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

ACC Jones said Police Scotland will send additional officers to boost the Police Service of Northern Ireland ( PSNI) next week.

“The initial deployment will give us four extra units, which is in the region of 120 additional officers deployed onto our streets,” she said.

She said 10 officers have been injured so far.

Police will have a “significant visible policing operation” in place across Northern Ireland to ensure everyone is kept safe, she said.

On Thursday night, bricks and masonry were thrown at police dealing with race-related hate crimes in Belfast.

A car was set on fire on Benburb Street and the windows of a number of houses were smashed on Kilburn Street, both in south Belfast.

In east Belfast, bins were set on fire on Castlereagh Street.

A group of masked men attacked police on Flora Street, but no officers were injured.