Ballymena, United Kingdom - June 09, 2025 Police in Northern Ireland have said that 15 officers were injured after violence erupted on the streets of Ballymena, Co Antrim last night. Four houses were also damaged by fire during the disorder, with police saying that the fires are being treated as racially motivated hate attacks. Liam Kelly of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland says “vicious” attacks on officers were ‘totally mindless, unacceptable, and feral.’ A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of riotous and disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police. He remains in police custody. The violence occurred in the Clonavon Road area of the town centre, following an alleged sexual assault in the town on Saturday. In a statement this morning, the PSNI said that a planned vigil took place in the Galgorm Road area at around 7.30pm before making its way towards Larne Street, onto Wakehurt Road and then down Queen Street. Police said they were attending the vigil to ensure “an appropriate and proportionate policing response” due to the large number of people who were in attendance. They said the vigil was initially peaceful as it made its way towards the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena. SHOTLIST Videos from Ballymena on 9 June. [Credit: X/NiResponsevids]