PSNI to get £4m in emergency funding after violent disorder

2 hours ago

Jayne McCormackPolitical correspondent, BBC News NI

The government is providing £4m in emergency funding for the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) following a spate of public disorder last week.

Violence erupted across Belfast which saw people's homes, businesses and vehicles attacked and healthcare workers targeted in racist attacks.

Disorder was sparked after footage of a knife attack in north Belfast last Monday, which left the victim with serious injuries, was shared widely on social media. A man has been charged with attempted murder.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said the intervention would help the PSNI cover overtime costs and mutual aid support, which saw extra officers from Police Scotland deployed to help.

The announcement came as Benn was in Northern Ireland on Thursday to meet police, other emergency responders, community groups, volunteers and youth organisations, including those involved in responding to last week's events.

He said: "Our most important duty as government is to keep the public safe.

"This £4 million package demonstrates our commitment to supporting the PSNI given the significant challenges they faced in confronting the disorder in order to protect the community."

The money will be drawn from government reserves as a one-off uplift to additional security funding directly to the PSNI.

'Outrageous'

On Thursday, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons revealed that 115 households in Northern Ireland have now sought help from the Housing Executive, citing civil unrest, after last week's disorder.

He told Stormont's communities committee there had been 76 presentations of homelessness, with 38 families placed in temporary accommodation.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) minister said he will meet affected communities later and described it as "outrageous" that in 2026, people are still being targeted "for the colour of their skin".

He said he understood many communities are "fearful" and that his staff are doing all they can to assist.