**Police in Northern Ireland Facing “Downright Dangerous” Conditions Amid Ongoing Violence**
Police officers in Northern Ireland are reported to be working under perilously unsafe conditions, according to stern warnings from the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI). The organisation, which represents the rank and file members of the force, has expressed deep concern following a surge in violence across County Antrim, particularly in Ballymena, where unrest has continued for consecutive nights.
In recent days, disturbances have erupted in Ballymena, leading to clashes between police and individuals engaging in criminal activity. Thirty-three officers have thus far been injured in a spate of incidents described by the PFNI as unacceptable and unsustainable, given the police’s already stretched resources.
Liam Kelly, chairman of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, spoke out about the situation, emphasising that officers are being stretched to their limits and subjected to significant risk. “We are now operating at a level that is downright dangerous,” he stated, highlighting the serious risk to police personnel currently deployed on the front lines.
The PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) has reported not only ongoing disturbances in Ballymena but also sporadic incidents of unrest in other locations, though specific details of further incidents remain sparse at this stage. Police vehicles have been targeted, and there have been reports of attacks on officers as well as damage to property in the affected areas.
The situation has prompted the federation to suggest that support from police forces elsewhere in the United Kingdom could soon become necessary. Kelly commented, “The option to seek mutual aid from colleagues across the UK is a measure of last resort, but it is now much closer to being a reality. Officer welfare must be our first concern—they cannot be left in situations where their safety is repeatedly compromised.”
Currently, the number of officers serving within the PSNI stands more than 2,200 below the recommended figure, worsening the strain on those currently serving in challenging conditions. Kelly was forthright in his view that continuing violence would inexorably lead to more injuries and subsequently result in officers being taken off active duty for rest and recovery, further depleting resources.
“These officers are going above and beyond to protect both people and property under extremely challenging circumstances,” Kelly said. “It is vitally important for their well-being that they are not continuously exposed to such dangers without the opportunity to rest and recuperate.”
The police federation also issued a call for an end to what it described as “sickening, racially motivated lawlessness”, appealing to both the public and community leaders to stand against mindless violence. Mr Kelly labelled the attacks on both police and members of the public as “reprehensible”, arguing that there should be no place in Northern Irish society for those who seek to intimidate, terrorise, or perpetrate racially motivated attacks.
He further urged the public to come forward with information that could identify those responsible for the violence, emphasising the importance of community assistance in upholding the rule of law. “I would directly appeal to the right-minded public to condemn these actions and provide police with all information possible to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice,” Kelly added.
In light of the ongoing disorder, Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson of the PSNI confirmed that contingency plans are in place to request police support from England and Wales if it becomes necessary. “Should we require additional resources, it is reassuring to know that our colleagues in the National Police Operation Centre are prepared to provide support,” Henderson said.
As the situation develops, calls for calm and a restored sense of security have grown increasingly urgent. For now, the focus remains on ensuring officer safety and bringing those responsible for the unrest to justice, amid an ongoing and unpredictable landscape of public disorder in Northern Ireland.