Executive funding secured to improve community relations following disorder in Ballymena and Larne
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has secured funding from The Executive Office to improve community relations following public disorder in Ballymena and Larne.
The council’s funding application stated: “Civil unrest and public disorder occurred in the Ballymena and Larne areas following a peaceful protest which was arranged following an incident of an alleged attack of a young girl by members of a minority community. The protest focused on the message of ‘Ending Violence against Women and Girls.
“However, the public disorder that occurred after the peaceful protest lasted a number of days and was largely targeted at minority communities within a particular area of Ballymena.”
Larne Leisure Centre at Tower Road was set alight while some people were still inside the building on Wednesday, June 11.
A report presented to the borough council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee, at a recent meeting, stated “the incident in Larne was in response to the use of the leisure centre as an emergency support centre for families displaced from Ballymena”.
It said as a result of the disorder, PSNI in Mid and East Antrim have reported a £5m policing cost. It stated 63 police officers were injured and three police vehicles were damaged. It was also noted water cannon and AEP rounds were deployed.
It added: “The disorder has had a negative impact on the community’s relationship with the PSNI and statutory agencies in general. It has also caused fear within the wider ethnic minority community.”
Councillors have been told previously the financial impact of the arson attack on Larne Leisure Centre will “only become clear once all claim processes have been exhausted”.
They were also informed the Romanian Embassy contacted the borough council following the riots.
The committee report said The Executive Office sought proposals from all councils in Northern Ireland to put in place programmes/interventions “to address social and racial cohesion following the recent disorder”.
It said: “Council is very mindful of the need to support community and civic recovery within the borough following recent civil unrest.
“It is proposed that this resource will be used to build on existing work locally in the community using established initiatives and interventions. The purpose will be to increase the level of intervention and engagement with local communities in the affected areas.”
The council’s application explained “in the short-term, we propose to build on existing work through the existing networks to increase the level of intervention and engagement with local communities in the affected areas”. A wider recovery plan is being developed.
It is expected a diversionary programme for young people will be established and work through local community groups youth groups and others who “understand the complex nature of the issues that have contributed to the tensions within the community and the recent social disorder”.
It was also stated a “wider recovery plan is being developed at corporate level in council”.
Mid and East Antrim PSNI Chief Inspector Bradley commented: “Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets. We are seeking to deliver justice to those responsible for these targeted attacks that followed a series of protests within the Ballymena area.
“In the months from the sustained disorder, our dedicated public order inquiry team worked tirelessly to ensure that those involved in this violence are brought before our courts to face the consequences of their actions.
“We would also repeat our appeal to anyone who has been the victim of, or has any information on, any crime to contact police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. We can assure you that we will always act on concerns and information we receive.”
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter