Police helmet emblems 'not intended to cause offence'

Police officers were seen wearing helmet badges on their uniform

Badges worn by some police officers during violent weekend protests in Belfast "were not based on any other groups or affiliations", the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said.

Some officers wore helmet emblems which have been compared to those used by some far-right groups in America.

In a statement, the PSNI said the badges "do not comply with our uniform standards" and will not be worn again.

Ch Supt Amanda Ford added the designs "were intended purely for the identification of each individual unit and for ease of reference for supervisors when units are working together".

"Having made enquiries into the wearing of emblems by our tactical support groups following on from images captured during disorder in Belfast on Saturday evening, we can confirm that some units have designed an emblem that represents their identification colour/number and these have been worn on their uniform during deployments," she said.

The senior officer added that "they were never intended to cause any offence".

The PSNI said the issue had been addressed through management action and refreshed guidance to officers in respect of uniform standards.

Several businesses were attacked during unrest at the weekend

Several businesses were attacked and some set on fire after an anti-immigrant demonstration on Saturday moved from Belfast City Hall to surrounding streets.

Three police officers were injured and four members of the public reported that they were assaulted.

Four men have been charged in relation to the disorder.