Masked thugs laugh and beg for likes as family home goes up in flames while 300-strong mob hurls petrol bombs at cops – 33 officers injured as police deploy water cannons and plastic bullets
This is the horrifying moment rioters livestream themselves burning down a family home on TikTok – laughing and begging for “gifts” as flames engulf the property while the Northern Irish town of Ballymena braces for a third night of carnage.
Shocking footage shared on social media shows masked thugs giggling as they torch a residential home on Queen Street after smashing the windows and breaking in during Tuesday night’s violence.
The person behind the camera tells viewers to “rack them gifts up, boys, rack them up” as he begs for likes and follows in front of the burning building – with TikTok gifts able to be converted into cash for content creators.
At one point, as flames lick the front window of the family home, he gloats “I’ve got 2.6k views lad,” The Telegraph reports, while another rioter offers to “smash a window for a gift.
‘They’re probably P**’ taunt as home burns**
In the sickening footage, masked thugs break apart wooden pallets and add them to the blaze already raging in the doorway of the property they believed belonged to foreigners.
When no one flees the burning building, the rioters laugh: “They’re probably P****, that’s why they’re f***ing away running upstairs.
The livestreamed terror didn’t stop there – terrifying scenes showed rioters kicking in a neighbour’s door and shouting for anyone inside to come out before breaking in and hunting for anyone hiding inside.
The footage represents just one horrifying incident in a night of “racist thuggery” that saw 300 yobs hurl petrol bombs at cops, smash windows and torch cars throughout the Harryville and Clonavon Terrace areas.
Protestor on FIRE as petrol bombs fly
Dramatic footage showed one protestor engulfed in flames as rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers during the second night of violence that has torn through the County Antrim town.
Seventeen police officers were injured during Tuesday night’s violence alone, bringing the total to 33 injured officers over two nights – with some requiring hospital treatment after being struck by rocks, bottles and other missiles.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) deployed riot police, fired plastic baton rounds, and used water cannons as well as dog units as they fought to restore order against what they condemned as “racist thuggery.
Romanian teens in court over rape charge
The violence erupted after two 14-year-old boys – who both required a Romanian interpreter in court – were charged with the attempted oral rape of a teenage girl on June 7.
A third arrest was made in relation to the alleged sexual assault on Monday night as a 28-year-old man was taken in for questioning before being released.
The charges were read to the teenagers via a Romanian interpreter, according to the BBC, with the boys remanded in custody until July 2 after denying the charges.
‘Getting justice for every girl’
Unusually for such occasions, teenage girls in black balaclavas were prominent at the forefront of the fight, angrily hectoring police and daring them to advance while youths behind them lobbed rocks and bottles.
They’re protecting people who are doing this to young girls,” one teenager, who claimed to know the alleged victim, told reporters. We’re getting justice for her cousin, and justice for every girl who doesn’t feel safe in her town any more.
Middle-aged women were seen clapping and jeering triumphantly when one policeman was struck directly on the head by a hurled rock, with one heard saying: “Right in the head, nice one.”
£4 million trail of destruction
The two nights of rioting have left an estimated £4 million ($5.3 million) worth of damage across Ballymena, with multiple homes burned out and businesses destroyed.
Four properties damaged by fire are being treated by police as racially-motivated hate crimes, with Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson saying other arrests are expected following examination of video footage.
This violence was clearly racially motivated and targeted at our minority ethnic community and police,” Henderson said. “Any attempt to justify or explain it as something else is misplaced.”
Terrified families flee homes
A Romanian mother-of-three who lived in one of the attacked houses said she was too scared to stay in the area after her home was targeted.
“The children were asking me why are we being attacked,” she said, too afraid to give her name. “I don’t want to stay here now, the children are afraid and I am afraid.”
In the nearby village of Culleybackey, the car and home of a Filipino migrant, entirely unconnected to the alleged assault, was also firebombed during Monday’s violence.
A miserable-looking Filipino couple were later seen standing next to their suitcases at the fire station, waiting for a ride away from Ballymena, unwilling to talk.
Police reinforcements from England
Mr Henderson added there will be a significant policing operation in the town in the coming days to reassure the community, warning that police officers from England and Wales will be brought to Northern Ireland if needed.
Should I need any additionality, I’m absolutely assured that my colleagues in policing in England and Wales stand fast and ready to support should we need that support,” he said.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher condemned the “mindless violence,” saying: “These criminal acts not only endanger lives but also risk undermining the ongoing criminal justice process led by the PSNI in support of a victim who deserves truth, justice and protection.
PM condemns ‘mindless attacks’
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the riots during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, saying: “I utterly condemn the violence that we’ve seen overnight in Ballymena and in other parts of Northern Ireland.
It is absolutely vital that PSNI are given the time they need to investigate the incidents concerned rather than face mindless attacks as they seek to bring peace and order to keep people safe.
Downing Street said there could be “no justification” for the violence, with the PM’s spokesman adding: “The reports of sexual assault in the area are extremely distressing, but there is no justification for attacks on police officers while they continue to protect local communities.
‘Problem’s in Westminster’
The violence has exposed deep tensions in Northern Ireland’s working-class Loyalist communities, with many expressing anger at both immigration policies and what they see as government failures.
The anger’s against the politicians bringing in all these illegal immigrants,” one older man told reporters. “The problem’s in Stormont and Westminster and everywhere. If this is the only way to get them out of the town, then this is the way.”
Health minister’s warning
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt visited damaged homes on Wednesday, warning: “It is a well-established fact within health and social care that without our international colleagues the entire system would collapse.
“I want to stand in solidarity with colleagues from around the world who are working here. I would appeal to people to stop. It should not have started in the first place. It is wrong.”
Town braces for more violence
As Ballymena braces for a potential third night of violence, residents describe living in fear as the town becomes a battleground.
“This is terrifying,” one local resident said. “We’re all afraid to go out. The whole town is on edge waiting to see what happens tonight.
With five arrests made so far and police examining extensive video footage – including the shocking TikTok livestreams – authorities have vowed that those responsible will face the full force of the law.
As one senior officer put it: “I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday’s disorder to reflect long and hard about their actions – they will have consequences.”
Were you affected by the Ballymena riots? Email us your story – but stay safe.
