Bus set on fire in Belfast at anti-immigration protest
Protesters have set fire to a bus on the Newtownards Road in Belfast as disorder flared at an anti-immigration demonstration organised in response to last night's knife attack in the city.
The PSNI said sporadic pockets of disorder had broken out in a number of locations, including vehicles being set alight.
The police service appealed for calm and said that officers were on the ground responding to incidents as they arise.
Masked males set commercial bins alight and pushed them into the Glider bus on the Newtownards Road in the east of the city tonight.
A statement from Northern Ireland's public transport operator Translink said it had suspended all services in and out of Belfast and added: "We utterly condemn this attack on our service."
Watch: Bus set on fire during protest in Belfast
The incident came as a large crowd gathered in the area for a scheduled anti-immigration protest.
Demonstrations are taking place in areas across Belfast and Northern Ireland following Monday night's knife attack in Belfast and multiple roads have been blocked by groups of masked protesters.
A 30-year-old Sudanese man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the attack, which left a man in a serious condition.
Northern Ireland's Education Minister Paul Givan has said any violence at demonstrations will "distract" from protesters' message.
Mr Givan attended a protest in Lisburn this evening, which followed Monday night’s knife attack in Belfast.
Hundreds of people marched through the city, with police stopping traffic on a number of roads. Some of those within the march wore face coverings.
Mr Givan said: "There is a genuine shock about what happened last night. I think it has sent shockwaves across the community.
The skeleton of a Glider bus after it was set alight in Belfast
A car on fire on McMaster Street in east Belfast
"What we have witnessed here in Lisburn has been a peaceful protest because people have felt that their voices aren’t being listened to, particularly when it comes to uncontrolled immigration within the United Kingdom and on the island of Ireland."
He added: "It is important that people do conduct themselves in a peaceful manner to make sure that the key issues here around immigration can be heard and we are not distracted by any form of violence.
"That will only distract. People should express their views in a peaceful manner."
Police commanders and political leaders had earlier appealed for calm amid concern protests could turn violent.
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher had warned people against being influenced "from afar through social media".
A barricade burns on Duncairn Gardens in Belfast
"There will be an increased police presence across Northern Ireland this evening and in the coming days to provide help, support, and reassurance for all our communities, and to keep everybody safe," he said.
"There is considerable posting on social media. I appeal for everyone to be mindful of what they view and share online.
"Sharing footage risks causing further trauma to the injured man's family and loved ones, and may impact on this investigation.
"We are aware, of course, of protest activity being discussed across Northern Ireland this evening, and we continue to monitor this very carefully."
The man arrested last night was also charged with the possession of an article with blade or point in a public place and threats to kill.
He is due to appear in court tomorrow.
