The streets of a small town in the UK have been set alight this evening, after a large protest against a recent sexual assault turned into a riot where petrol bombs were thrown at police officers.

The rioting broke out in Ballymena, Co Antrim, in Northern Ireland, after around 2500 people gathered to support the female victim of the assault.

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Two boys, both aged 14, have been arrested in connection with the alleged crime, which took place in the town, and charged with attempted rape. On Monday morning, they had both appeared in Coleraine Magistrates’ Court to confirm their names and ages and to deny the charge of attempted oral rape, through a Romanian interpreter.

Then on Monday evening, throngs of people began turning up outside Ballymena’s police station and Clonavon Terrace, where the assault is alleged to have taken place on Saturday, June 7.

A Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI) spokesperson said: “A number of missiles have been thrown towards police with damage reported to a number of properties. Officers are advising motorists and pedestrians to avoid the Clonavon Road area until further notice.

“It follows a protest in the area earlier this evening. Officers are in attendance to ensure the safety of everyone involved. They will remain in the area tonight to continue to monitor the situation.”

Chief Superintendent Sue Steen said: “We are urging everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly. 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.”

Around 10.30pm, more than an hour after the protests turned violent, riot police could be seen descending on the town centre in a bid to quell the fiery disorder. Meanwhile, fire crews attempted to put out the wheelie bin fires and prevent the blazes from spreading to nearby properties.

Videos circulating on social media show large numbers of people with masks drawn over their faces stood in front of burned properties, some with their windows smashed in. Northern Ireland’s Fire and Rescue Service was seen tackling two property fires on Clonavon Terrace, where the groups had gathered earlier, at around 11.15pm (June 9).

NIFRS teams are currently working to put out the fires, while police have reportedly deployed less-than-lethal baton round launchers in an attempt to control the missile-throwing crowds.

An Alliance councillor has urged rioters to “please stop” amid the ongoing unrest.

Cllr Lauren Gray said in a plea on social media: “Appealing for calm in Ballymena right now. I know through my Council colleagues that the vast majority of people there don’t support these actions in their community.

“There is no place for violence. Please stop.”

Around 12.30am, another home was set ablaze, this time on Larne Street, after people smashed in windows and set the terraced property on fire.

20 minutes later, PSNI riot vans swarmed the scene and began kicking in doors to get local residents to safety – all while masked crowds watched on and streamed the incident on TikTok.

BelfastLive reports that “sporadic” rioting has continued into the night, with the atmosphere described as “tense”. A large police presence is expected to remain in Ballymena until Tuesday morning.

This is a live incident, check back for updates.