Ballymena riots condemned as ‘racist thuggery’ as homes and cars set on fire in second night of violence

Homes and cars have been set on fire during a second night of violence in Ballymena as police condemned the unrest as “racist thuggery”.

Dramatic scenes unfolded in the Northern Ireland town as rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and glass bottles at police officers. Seventeen officers were injured with some requiring hospital treatment, the Police Service Northern Ireland said.