Police will "significantly increase" officer numbers after a second night of violence in Ballymena
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson says six arrests have been made, adding: "This senseless violence is utterly unacceptable"
Henderson says those rioting are mostly from the local area, adding that he has requested mutual aid from colleagues in Great Britain
A dangerous cocktail of factors came together to plunge Ballymena into hate-filled violence, writes BBC NI's Mark Simpson - here's what's been happening
"Everything we have is destroyed": A mother-of-two from Bulgaria tells the BBC she is leaving Northern Ireland after rioters broke into her house
Barry O'Connor
BBC News NI
Thank you for joining us as ACC Ryan Henderson gave a press conference from PSNI HQ about the second night of violence in Ballymena.
We are wrapping up our live coverage for today, but you can keep up to date on this story on the BBC News NI website by clicking here.
This page was edited by Naomi Holland & Luke Sproule with additional reporting from Barry O'Connor, Jake Liggett and Peter Coulter.
Jake Liggett
BBC News NI
ACC Ryan Henderson
We're coming to the end of todays live coverage after ACC Ryan Henderson praised officers and said that a significant policing operation would be in place in Ballymena and beyond over the coming days. Here are a few other key points from the press conference.
Mark Simpson
BBC News NI community correspondent
A dangerous cocktail of factors came together to plunge Ballymena into hate-filled violence.
Within 36 hours of a peaceful protest on Monday evening, 32 police officers had been injured as the authorities struggled to keep the peace.
The families who were targeted, many of them relatively new to Northern Ireland, have been left feeling terrified and terrorised.
The PSNI has branded the violence “racist thuggery”, and pointed to a “mob mentality” fuelled by social media.
People do not become racists overnight.
It seems those involved had been waiting for an opportunity to vent their hatred.
Image source, Pacemaker
Image source, PA Media
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was asked about the violence in the House of Commons earlier today during Prime Minister's Questions.
Sorcha Eastwood the Lagan Valley MP asked for his views on what has unfolded this week.
He responded by saying he "utterly condemns" the disorder.
Image source, PA MediaThe Prime Minister
In a joint statement earlier today politicians in the Northern Ireland Executive appealed for calm.
The statement on behalf of ministers from Sinn Féin, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Alliance Party and the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) said: "We strongly condemn the racially motivated violence witnessed in recent days and make an urgent appeal for calm across society."
It added: "While all of our citizens have the right to engage in peaceful protest, there can never be any justification for the violence that has taken place in recent days."
The politicians urged "everyone in our communities to play their part" in rejecting "the divisive agenda being pursued by a minority of destructive, bad faith actors".
Image source, PA MediaFirst Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly
Mika and her partner, who have two children, moved to Northern Ireland a decade ago
‘Everything we have is destroyed’
A mother of two from Bulgaria says she is leaving Northern Ireland after an attack on her home in Ballymena.
"It's making me move from here to save my children, to not have any depression, any memory in the future for this," Mika Kolev told BBC News NI.
On Tuesday night, rioters broke into her house and caused significant damage.
Her family had left the house before the incident - fearing for their safety - and watched live streams of disorder in the area on TikTok.
"We don't have anything inside – the TV, sofa, table, everything we have [is destroyed]," she said.
"My children are scared."
ACC Henderson says police are preparing to review footage and issue images of those suspected of criminal activity during the disorder.
He adds that he has faith the criminal justice system will bring people before the courts in the coming days.
With that the press conference comes to a close.
ACC Henderson says police have made six arrests so far, with one person charged.
He references last year's riots in the summer and how police made arrests in the days after.
"That should be a huge deterrent to anyone who wants to participate in criminal acts."
A process known as mutual aid allows police forces to request assistance from elsewhere in the country.
ACC Henderson says he has activated a request for mutual aid from colleagues in Great Britain.
He says this will allow PSNI officers to get some rest.
The senior police officer says he has heard condemnation of the violence from across the political spectrum.
He says it is important that people come together and put across the message that the disorder cannot continue.
He says that the people rioting are from their "local area."
He appeals for people with influence to be able to help take young people away from the disorder.
ACC Henderson adds that people may have travelled to Ballymena due to it being "advertised" on social media, but most of those involved in disorder are from the town.
He says his 30 years' experience in policing means he is aware there could be more violence tonight.
He adds the police are prepared for that eventuality.
ACC Henderson says there have been many calls on social media for what he calls "protest activity".
He says there have been peaceful protestors who have acted within the law and complied with police instructions.
But he adds that others have been violent.
He says police will respect people's right to protest peacefully but will be ready to respond to violence.
ACC Henderson is urging people to protest "peacefully and lawfully".
He adds people should be aware that "others may use your peaceful intention as a cover for their own violent agenda".
The senior police officer is calling for the public to "loudly condemn this criminal behaviour".
"These criminals should not be louder than us" he adds.
ACC Henderson calls on people to think about how the violence is helping the ongoing criminal investigation into the alleged sexual assault.
He says there will be a significant increase in the number of officers and vehicles being deployed to Ballymena.
This, ACC Henderson adds, is taking resources away from other areas.
ACC Henderson says "this senseless violence is utterly unacceptable".
He adds that in his eyes the violence "serves to only endanger lives and destroy our local area, our local communities".
The press conference has begun and Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson has praised the "bravery and professionalism" of the police officers who have been deployed in Ballymena.
"Those officers come form our communities, to work for our communities and to make a difference for our communities." he says.
Yesterday ACC Henderson described the disorder as "racist thuggery, pure and simple", saying it was targeted at ethnic minorities and law enforcement.
"The fact that they had some weaponry ready to throw at police would say to me that there was some degree of pre-planning from those involved," he said.
ACC Henderson added there would be more arrests to follow and his officers are working to identify those responsible, examining video and online footage.