Police defend approach to Belfast havoc

THERE have been 35 arrests made and 23 people charged to date after disorder broke out following the Belfast stabbing last Monday.

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The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) released the figures as it defended its approach to policing the violence that erupted after a knife attack in north Belfast in which the victim lost an eye.

Homes, a bus and cars were set on fire in Belfast and elsewhere as people were targeted based on their race.

A week on from the disorder, senior officers defended the PSNI’s approach to tackling the disorder and said its officers had “undoubtedly saved lives”.