Analysis of census data shows that Ballymena has experienced rapid demographic change in recent years, while the Sky News data and forensics team also found evidence of rising tensions on social media in the weeks preceding the incident.

Northern Ireland police say violence in the town of Ballymena, reportedly fueled by racial tension, have left 32 officers injured.

Rioters livestreamed themselves burning down a house on TikTok during a second night of racially motivated disorder in Northern Ireland.

Disorder has broken out in Northern Ireland for the third successive night, after police said people are "waking up with genuine fear for their lives" following two nights of violence in Ballymena and other areas.

Some 63 police officers have been injured in what has been called a “ week of shame ” in Northern Ireland. Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week.

A Romanian in Ballymena has claimed he has “lost everything” after he was wrongly arrested for the attempted rape of a schoolgirl. He spoke after riots broke out in the Northern Ireland town following the appearance in court of two 14-year-old boys charged with attempted rape and who required a Romanian interpreter.

Some 63 police officers have been injured in what has been called a “ week of shame ” in Northern Ireland. Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week.

Plans by Naomi Long to visit Ballymena in the aftermath of racist rioting have been “put on hold” until the justice minister recovers from Covid. The Department of Justice said on Friday that the minister has been ill since last weekend but has “maintained active contact” with the PSNI, Secretary of State Hilary Benn and her officials.