Homes and cars caught fire across Belfast on Tuesday evening after hundreds of protesters took to the streets in response to Monday night’s stabbing attack in the city.
Residents had to be removed from burning houses in east Belfast as a crowd of 100 men kicked in doors and broke windows of homes nearby, according to the BBC.
Jack McKee, a pastor who was helping those affected, told the BBC that some members of his church were being forced from their homes “just because they’re Black”.
Masked youths gathered at points across the city, with police responding by deploying armoured vehicles. Protesters set fire to a number of vehicles, including a bus in east Belfast.
The outburst of violence - affecting swathes of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Southampton and London - drew condemnation across the political spectrum.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hillary Benn said people were “rightly shocked” by the attacked, but condemned “thuggery” that he said was “putting innocent lives at risk”.
Key points
- Man under arrest charged with attempted murder
- Police chief appeals to people 'not to allow harm to anyone else'
- Street protests planned as 'fears ignored', says local MP
- Prime minister condemns 'sickening' and 'abhorrent' attack
- Passers-by who pulled attacker off victim hailed 'best of humanity'
Hero bystanders who intervened in Belfast knife attack praised as ‘best of humanity’
01:00 , James ReynoldsMembers of the public who intervened in a stabbing attack in Belfast have been praised as “the very best of humanity”.
Footage on social media shows people, including one with a hurling stick, attempting to stop a man while he was attacking his victim in the residential area close to the busy Antrim Road in north Belfast on Monday night.
A man has since been charged with attempted murder by Northern Ireland Police, and will appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Hero bystanders who intervened in Belfast knife attack praised as ‘best of humanity’
Politicians must address the immigration 'debate', says former first minister
00:45 , James ReynoldsAlso speaking to BBC Newsnight, Baroness Foster, former DUP first minister of Northern Ireland, said politicians must address the “debate” around immigration.
“The Chief Constable is absolutely right when he says it's not for him to answer questions about immigration,” she said. “It's for the politicians to answer questions about immigration. And that's where the debate has to take place.”
“The debate has take place by politicians and not through police officers who are trying to deal with what happened yesterday and what is happening today on our streets,” she argued.
In pictures: Lendrick Street at the height of Tuesday's protests in Belfast
00:30 , James Reynolds
Violence across Belfast is a 'race-based pogrom', says Labour MP
00:15 , James ReynoldsClaire Hanna, SDLP leader and Belfast MP, told BBC Newsnight that the violence seen across the city on Tuesday amounted to a “race-based pogrom”.
“We are seeing men going door to door asking to get the foreigners out based exclusively on the colour of their skin,” she said.
“It's not based on what they're contributing to society, what their status here is and it's terrifying for people in Belfast who want this sort of politics to be far beyond them.”
Pressed on whether she ‘knows’ whether migrant families were being targeted, she says: “Well I don't know what else you can call it because they have been going, I've seen videos of going door to door in areas yes that are likely to be people from minority ethnic backgrounds ...”
“What you’re seeing is a race based pogrom, we are seeing men going door to door asking to 'get the foreigners out' based exclusively on the colour of their skin.”
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) June 9, 2026
SDLP leader Claire Hannah criticises the unrest taking place in Belfast.#Newsnight pic.twitter.com/jBNM7tWg7U
Also speaking to BBC Newsnight, Baroness Foster, former DUP first minister of Northern Ireland, adds: “Those who are engaged in this violence must understand that not only is it wrong but if they are genuinely concerned ... about untrammeled immigration, then this is entirely counterproductive.
She went on to say that politicians must address the “debate” around immigration.
“The Chief Constable is absolutely right when he says it's not for him to answer questions about immigration,” she said. “It's for the politicians to answer questions about immigration. And that's where the debate has to take place.”
Northern Ireland Secretary denounces 'thuggery' putting 'lives at risk'
00:00 , James ReynoldsNorthern Ireland Secretary Hillary Benn says he understands people are “shocked” by Monday’s attack - but condemns “thuggery” on the streets that, he says, is “putting innocent lives at risk”.
Writing on social media in post shared by the prime minister, he says: “People have been rightly shocked by the brutal attack in north Belfast, but the police must be allowed to do their job so the law can take its course.
“The scenes of disorder we have witnessed in some parts of Northern Ireland this evening are only damaging communities and putting innocent lives at risk. There is no justification at all for this type of thuggery. I echo the call from the PSNI for this violence to end now.”
The scenes of disorder we have witnessed in some parts of Northern Ireland this evening are only damaging communities and putting innocent lives at risk. There is no justification at all for this type of thuggery. I echo the call from the PSNI for this violence to end now. /2
— Hilary Benn (@hilarybennmp) June 9, 2026
Pastor says people are being forced from their homes 'just because they're Black'
23:51 , James ReynoldsJack McKee, a pastor who spent Tuesday evening helping those in houses targeted in Belfast, told the BBC that some members of his church were being forced from their homes “just because they’re Black”.
He said some members of the community “who have been with us for 20 years ... had their house attacked, windows smashed, houses beside them burned”.
“They're good Christian people and they're getting put out just because they're Black,” he told the broadcaster.
He added that those put out of their homes will probably not be able to return to the area.
Violence sweeping Northern Ireland is "wrong" and "counter-productive", says former first minister
23:30 , James ReynoldsArlene Foster, the former first minister of Northern Ireland, told Sky News the violence sweeping Belfast was “not only wrong” but “counter-productive”.
“The people that are causing this violence have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders,” she said.
Turkish barber shop attacked in Ballyclare
23:18 , James ReynoldsA Turkish barber shop in Ballyclare, north of Belfast, has also been attacked, according to the BBC.
Images carried by the broadcaster show the front door and a window smashed.
Mapped: Protests reported across the UK
22:59 , James ReynoldsProtests break out across the UK
22:54 , James ReynoldsEarlier, The Independent reported on a wave of protests in the Belfast area, affecting Newtownards Rd, Whiteabbey, Freedom Corner, and traffic on the M2 near Yorkgate.
Police and ambulances are also responding on Crumlin Road, and homes have caught fire on Lendrick Street.
A police car was also reported to have been set on fire in Portadown, southwest of Belfast.
Now, protests are reported to have broken out in other parts of the UK.
Police were deployed in Southampton after demonstrators gathered outside the Highfield House Hotel.
And in Scotland, protesters gathered in Glasgow city centre and St Andrew’s Square in Edinburgh.
In pictures: Cars ablaze amid wave of disorder sweeping Belfast
22:49 , James Reynolds
Watch: Cars set on fire in streets of Belfast following protests
22:30 , James ReynoldsDisorder 'serves absolutely nobody', says Belfast MP
22:28 , James ReynoldsJohn Finucane, the Sinn Féin MP for north Belfast, urges people to “back away from civil disorder”, saying it “serves absolutely nobody”.
“Anybody who truly cares about the victim of this attack, about his friends and his family, about the residents who had to witness this, those who intervened – if those people are truly your focus then we must respect the rule of law,” he says.
Locals removed from homes ablaze in east Belfast
22:18 , James ReynoldsResidents are being removed from houses which have caught fire in Lendrick Street in east Belfast.
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service officers attended the scene on Tuesday night.
Middle Eastern supermarket 'on fire' - report
22:16 , James ReynoldsImages from the streets of Belfast show large groups congregating in the road and smoke billowing out of a small business.
Locals tells Sky News the affected building is a Middle Eastern supermarket.
Northern Ireland's justice minister Naomi Long says protesters are 'weaponising the genuine hurt'
22:04 , James ReynoldsNorthern Ireland’s Justice Minister Naomi Long has said “hate cannot be allowed” to win, as disorder broke out in a number of areas following a knife attack in Belfast on Monday.
Ms Long said: “Earlier today, I stood beside the First Minister, deputy First Minister and the PSNI Chief Constable and we appealed for calm.
“Sadly, there are those who have chosen to ignore those pleas; they are intent on wreaking destruction on the very communities they claim they are trying to protect.
“They are weaponising the genuine hurt, concern and anger that people are feeling for their own misguided purposes.
“There is no place for masked thugs to take to the streets and threaten, intimidate, disrupt and cause wanton damage – it is simply disingenuous to claim this is being carried out for the good of Northern Ireland.
“I would appeal once again to communities not to allow themselves to be used and abused in this manner. Disorder on the streets, such as we are seeing tonight, is diverting valuable police resources away from those who genuinely need them. These are not the actions of people who genuinely care about their communities.
“While I recognise and understand the concerns following on from the attack in north Belfast, hate cannot be allowed to win.”
Firefighters tackle fire in row of homes
22:02 , James ReynoldsFootage shared on Sky News shows the moment flames engulfed at least one home in a row of terraced houses in Belfast tonight.
Before firefighters arrived, members of the public could be seen shouting through letter boxes to warn residents over the blaze.
Firefighters then arrived and began tackling the fire with with water hoses. A group of people can be seen standing a safe distance away.
A senior officer has said police are dealing with “sporadic pockets of disorder” following a knife attack in Belfast on Monday night.
Petrol bombs thrown at police in Newtownabbey
22:00 , James ReynoldsPetrol bombs have been thrown at police cars at Cloughfern in Newtownabbey, the Belfast Telegraph reports.
Images from the scene show a large group of masked people looking on at a police Land Rover, with the bonnet covered in flame.
Fire crews hold back from crowd
21:45 , Jane DaltonFirefighters in Newtownards Road in Belfast are holding back for now, letting wheelie bin fires burn instead of approaching the crowd of masked youngsters.
The police are also staying back in an attempt to avoid clashes.
Three cars alight in Belfast
21:39 , Jane DaltonThree cars in Belfast were also alight, after a bus was burnt out.
Two cars parked in a private drive and one parked in the road nearby were burning as darkness fell.
Masked men 'kick doors' and 'say they're getting the foreigners out' in east Belfast
21:32 , James ReynoldsAround 100 masked men on McMaster Street, in lower Newtownards Rd, east Belfast, made their way down the street, kicking in doors and breaking windows, the BBC reports.
The broadcaster says they said they were “getting the foreigners out”.
The Guardian reported earlier that Sudanese business owners on Sandy Row closed their stores with steel shutters and said they planned to stay at home on Tuesday night.
Masked men kick in doors and and break windows
21:23 , Jane DaltonCrowds gathered at McMaster Street in Lower Newtownards Road in east Belfast.
About 100 masked men made their way down the street and kicked in doors and broke windows, the BBC reports.
They said they were "getting the foreigners out".
The protests mounting across Northern Ireland
21:14 , James ReynoldsMore than 100 people have gathered in Newtownards Road, on the outskirts of Belfast city centre.
There, a Glider bus has been set on fire, with authorities currently responding to put out the blaze. Sky News reports they were forced to end their coverage after being heckled by protesters.
Bins have also been set on fire in the middle of the road.
Dozens of men have also gathered in Whiteabbey, north of Belfast and were throwing stones at a house, according to the BBC.
There were dozens more people gathering at Freedom Corner in Belfast. Protesters have separately stopped traffic on the M2 near Yorkgate.
A widely shared post on Facebook and WhatsApp has called for protests on Tuesday evening, and in response police have promised an increased presence across the region.
'Sporadic pockets' of disorder erupt across Northern Ireland
21:09 , Jane DaltonA senior officer has said police are dealing with “sporadic pockets of disorder” in a number of locations in Northern Ireland.
Demonstrations are taking place following the knife attack in Belfast on Monday night.
Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: “Sporadic pockets of disorder have broken out in a number of locations across Northern Ireland this evening, including incidents in which a number of vehicles have been set on fire.
“We are urging everyone to remain calm, act responsibly, and avoid any activity that could place themselves or others at risk.”
Minister warns protesters violence will distract from their message
21:04 , Jane DaltonNorthern Ireland’s education minister Paul Givan has said any violence at anti-immigration demonstrations will distract from protesters’ message.
Mr Givan attended a protest in Lisburn on Tuesday evening, which followed Monday night’s knife attack in Belfast.
Hundreds of people marched through the city, with police stopping traffic on a number of roads. Some of those in the march wore face coverings.
Mr Givan said: “There is a genuine shock about what happened last night. I think it has sent shockwaves across the community.
“What we have witnessed here in Lisburn has been a peaceful protest because people have felt that their voices aren’t being listened to, particularly when it comes to uncontrolled immigration within the United Kingdom and on the island of Ireland.”
He added: “It is important that people do conduct themselves in a peaceful manner to make sure that the key issues here around immigration can be heard and we are not distracted by any form of violence.
“That will only distract. People should express their views in a peaceful manner.”
In pictures: Bus set alight as disorder mounts
20:58 , Jane Dalton
Bus firm condemns arson
20:54 , Jane DaltonNorthern Ireland's public transport operator Translink, which suspended services, said: “We utterly condemn this attack on our service.
“The safety of our staff and customers is our top priority and all Metro, Glider, Ulsterbus and Goldliner services (operating in and out of Belfast) have been suspended.
“We are liaising closely with the PSNI and will continue to follow their guidance.”
In pictures: Bus set alight
20:31 , Jane Dalton
Belfast crowd set fire to bus
20:19 , Jane DaltonProtesters in Belfast have set a bus alight and pushed a burning wheelie bin into it.
Groups of people - many in hoodies - were milling around in the street.
Crowd halts Belfast traffic
19:58 , Jane DaltonSeveral cars have been blocked from getting onto the M2 in Belfast near Yorkgate, the BBC reports, because people in dark clothing are standing in front of them, bringing traffic to a standstill.
Police turn crowd back
19:51 , Jane DaltonIn Southampton, dozens of police officers were deployed to block protesters moving along Portswood Road as they walked from the Highfield House Hotel.
The demonstrators walked in the road, chanting and waving banners, blocking traffic as they went, after counter-protesters left the area.
To stop the crowd moving further, a line of police officers blocked their path and the group stopped and began chanting: “I can’t breathe”.
More officers then joined their colleagues, before the group turned and walked back along the road.
Pictured: Protesters gather in Belfast
19:45 , Jane Dalton
Crowds gather in Belfast
19:30 , Jane DaltonCrowds are gathering at sites in Belfast following the knife attack.
A number of people are on the Newtownards Road in the east of the city.
A crowd is also gathering close to the Crumlin Road roundabout.
There had been calls on social media for protests to take place across Northern Ireland following the attack on Monday night.
MPs call for calm as Musk and Tommy Robinson urge protesters on
19:25 , Jane DaltonCabinet minister Bridget Phillipson said the worst possible response to violence “would be further violence or disorder”.
Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice said: “Calm is essential following the brutal attack in Belfast last night.”
But far-right activist Tommy Robinson and tech billionaire Elon Musk amplified calls for people to take to the streets in response to the Belfast attack.
Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, posted lists of locations where protests may take place, saying “the whole of the United Kingdom is hitting the streets tonight” following “another invader attack on our people”.
Musk posted: “Only by protesting repeatedly and loudly will there be any change!!”
Man also charged with possessing blade and making threats to kill
19:18 , Jane DaltonA man charged with attempted murder after the Belfast knife attack is also charged with possession of an article with blade or point in a public place and making threats to kill, police say.
The 30-year-old accused, who is Sudanese, is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Man under arrest charged with attempted murder
19:01 , Jane DaltonBreaking news: A 30 year-old man arrested in connection with the Belfast stabbing has been charged with attempted murder and will appear in court in the city on Wednesday, the Police Service of Northern Ireland says.
Protest begins outside asylum hotel
18:54 , Jane DaltonDozens of protesters have gathered outside a hotel used to house asylum-seekers in Southampton.
The demonstrators held Union and St George flags as they gathered outside Highfield House Hotel.
Organisers of the “flash protest” said it was in response to the “disgusting video we are witnessing”, in what is understood to be a reference to the stabbing in Belfast.
Banners read “no racism, just patriotism”, “enough is enough” and “end two tier policing, end two tier justice”.
They chanted “secure our borders, mass deportation” and “stop the boats, send them home”.
A smaller group of counter-demonstrators holding Stand Up To Racism placards stood along the pavement across the road.
'Never seen anything like it' - resident says on attack
18:04 , Alex RossOne person who alerted police to the attack has told the BBC she first heard screaming outside.
She said a delivery driver then handed her his phone to speak to a 999 operator.
She said she was “standing in the street shaking” during the call, adding “never seen anything like it”.
The victim of the attack, aged in his 40s, continues to receive treatment in hospital for serious eye, face and back wounds.
No indication attack was terror related, say police
17:54 , Alex RossPolice Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said there was no indication the attack was terror related and pleaded for calm ahead of protests expected later.
Commenting on the immigration status of the suspect, Mr Henderson said the PSNI understood he had leave to remain in the UK.
He said it was understood the man had entered the UK across the Irish border, having travelled from Dublin in the Republic of Ireland. He was living close to the scene of the incident, Mr Henderson said.
The PSNI has launched a “critical incident” in response to the attack which was captured on video and appears to show a man stabbing at the victim’s head and neck while he was lying on the ground.
Justice minister warns of 'bad-faith actors' stirring trouble
17:26 , Jane DaltonNorthern Ireland’s Justice Minister said there are “bad faith actors who want to stir trouble” following the knife attack.
Naomi Long said: “The only people who will be harmed if there is unrest on our streets are innocent people.
“The only thing that will be achieved is further victims.
“And so I’m asking for people to be calm, to be rational at a time when it is easy to be irrational, because you’re hurt, you’re upset, and you’re angry and because there are bad faith actors who want to stir trouble.
“It is not in the interests of anyone in Northern Ireland for us to see our community torn apart in these instances.
“And I understand that many people from our ethnic minority and foreign national community will be fearful today.”
Home Office confirms suspect is Sudanese with right to stay until 2028
17:23 , Jane DaltonThe Home Office has confirmed the suspect in the stabbing is a Sudanese national with leave to remain in the UK until 2028.
Following the stabbing on Monday night, which left a man with significant injuries to his eyes, the Home Office said the suspect had entered the UK in 2023 and was granted refugee status the same year.
He claims to have entered the UK via the Common Travel Area, they added.
Call for bravery of passers-by who stepped in to be recognised
17:16 , Jane DaltonThe “extraordinary courage” of people who intervened in the knife attack has prompted calls for their bravery to be recognised.
Labour MP Chris Bloore called for those who came to the victim’s aid to be recognised and “given the honour and reward they deserve for representing the best of humanity”.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he hoped that in due time their bravery would be recognised.
'Not a time for protest' says policing board chair
17:08 , James ReynoldsBrendan Mullan, from Northern Ireland's Policing Board, thanks the members of the public who helped to stop the attack and urges calm to allow the police to work.
“We understand the community concern, but this is a time for calm heads to allow the police to do their job, it is not a time for protest,” he says.
“Bringing disruption on to the streets and into communities will serve no purpose. It will only serve to divert policing resources from people in real need of police help. As a community we must stand united against hatred and against violence.”
We do not have open borders immigration, says first minister
17:04 , Jane DaltonNorthern Ireland’s First Minister insisted Northern Ireland was not operating an “open borders” immigration system.
“I don’t know any country that has open borders,” said Michelle O’Neill.
“I believe in an immigration system that is fair and managed and enforceable and compassionate and human rights-compliant, but that is not the debate for today.
“The debate today is about our society, about our inclusive society, our welcoming society.
“Our conversation today is about our thoughts are very much with that gentleman who finds himself as a victim of that violent and horrific attack last night.
“Our thoughts today are about creating calm in our society.”
