(In the UK) Violent Unrest Erupts in Ballymena Over Alleged Teen Assault, Sparks Immigration Tensions

 

Ballymena has captured widespread attention across the United Kingdom following a surge of violent unrest that broke out on June 9, 2025, stemming from a protest over the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl by two 14-year-old boys. The demonstration, initially sparked by local concerns over immigration, quickly escalated into chaos as an estimated 2,500 people flooded the streets of the Harryville area.

 The crowd clashed fiercely with police, igniting fires that engulfed vehicles and homes, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. By the end of the night, fifteen officers had sustained injuries, ranging from minor bruises to more serious wounds, prompting the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to launch an extensive investigation at 01:17 PM WAT on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. The unrest intensified after the two teens were charged with attempted rape, amplifying existing community tensions linked to immigration policies. 

Masked youths, some as young as 16, unleashed petrol bombs and a barrage of missiles, targeting police lines and residential properties, forcing families to barricade themselves indoors in terror. Prominent leaders, including Justice Minister Naomi Long and Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan, issued strong condemnations, calling for peace and unity. The PSNI has responded with baton rounds and a significant deployment of officers to quell the disorder, while continuing to investigate both the initial assault and the violent aftermath that has shaken Ballymena’s social fabric.

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