Violence erupted in Ballymena following a peaceful protest supporting a victim of an alleged sexual assault, escalating into riots on the night of June 10, 2025.

During the unrest, police faced sustained attacks with petrol bombs, bricks, and fireworks, prompting the deployment of riot control measures including baton rounds and a water cannon.

Seventeen police officers were injured during the riots, with some requiring hospitalization, while multiple arrests were made for riotous behavior.

In response to the escalating violence, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) requested additional support from UK police forces.

The PSNI activated a significant increase in resources, deploying around 80 additional officers, vehicles, and equipment to manage the unrest.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned that the ongoing rioting jeopardizes the criminal justice investigation related to the alleged sexual assault case.

Boutcher also highlighted the critical underfunding of the PSNI since 2010, which poses significant challenges for effective policing in a post-conflict society.

Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill condemned the violence as 'pure racism' and called for an end to the intimidation faced by families in the area.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer characterized the attacks on police as 'mindless' and emphasized the need for the PSNI to conduct their investigation without interference.

The PSNI is reviewing footage to identify offenders involved in the violence and has called for all criminal activity to cease immediately.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson acknowledged that diverting police resources to manage the violence would impact the PSNI's ability to serve other communities effectively.

The unrest was not isolated to Ballymena, as multiple cities including Belfast, Lisburn, Coleraine, Carrickfergus, and Newtownabbey experienced similar disturbances.