Public disorder broke out in Ballymena in Northern Ireland, with police saying a number of missiles had been thrown towards officers after crowds gathered near the site of an alleged sexual assault in the town.

The unrest follows a protest in the area, about 30 minutes’s drive from the capital city of Belfast, earlier on Monday evening, the police statement said, adding damage had been reported to a number of properties.

Police advised motorists and pedestrians to avoid the Clonavon Road area and said they would remain on the scene to monitor the situation.

“We are urging everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly,” said
chief superintendent Sue Steen. “Violence and disorder will only place people at greater risk. Our priority is to keep the community safe, and I would appeal to everyone to work with us to bring calm to the area as quickly as possible.”

Local media reported people with their faces masked were seen throwing masonry and a police car had two of its windows smashed.

Protesters gathered after two boys appeared in court after an alleged serious sexual in Clonavon Road, media reported.

On Sunday, police announced that detectives investigating a serious sexual assault on a teenage girl in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena had charged two teenage boys.

With Reuters