'Disgraceful scenes' slammed as houses attacked and cars burnt out in Glengormley

'Disgraceful scenes' slammed as houses attacked and cars burnt out in Glengormley "This morning people are picking up the pieces, while fear within our migrant communities has only increased." 13:11, 11 Jun 2026 Phillip Brett MLA Disorder A local MLA has slammed the "disgraceful scenes" as crowds attacked houses and burnt out cars on Wednesday night. North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett said he has been out reassuring residents following the destruction. On Wednesday night, June 10, police were pelted with bricks and petrol bombs by rioters in Glengormley in the latest disorder following a knife attack in North Belfast on Monday night. Speaking with at the scene on Thursday morning, Phillip Brett slammed the "absolutely disgraceful scenes" and said he has been speaking with local residents. He added: "Residents have seen wanton destruction no one wants to see on the streets of Glengormley. Houses have been destroyed, people's houses have been attacked, cars burnt out. "A 90-year-old lifelong Glengormley resident lay in his bed last night terrified as a building very nearby went up in flames - no cause justifies what happened here. "I have been on with residents today to reassure them we will do all we can to keep people away from violence and away from their streets." Twelve police officers were injured and 16 arrests were made as protesters attempted to march to the Chimney Corner Hotel, with riot police and several vans deployed to manage the demonstrations. A Department for Infrastructure vehicle was left in flames as rioters confronted police near the Sandyknowes roundabout in Newtownabbey . Footage showed dozens of men dressed all in black and wearing face coverings gathering on , where they could be seen tearing bricks from properties and smashing paving stones with sledgehammers to create projectiles to throw at police. A derelict property near a petrol station was set alight, and petrol bombs were thrown at police lines. The further disorder was also condemned by local councillor, Carl Whyte. He said: "For another night, masked figures came onto our streets, terrorised local communities, destroyed property and attacked police officers . This was a frightening experience for families living in these areas, regardless of where they come from. "A number of police officers have been left with injuries. I thank them for their efforts and wish them a speedy recovery. We have also seen a number of arrests, many involving young people whose lives may be forever altered by their decision to take part in this disorder. This morning people are picking up the pieces, while fear within our migrant communities has only increased. "The scenes we have witnessed over recent days have been motivated by nothing but hatred. This is racism, pure and simple. It has been whipped up by far-right agitators and anonymous social media accounts who have brought violence to our streets and Belfast to a standstill. "We can take some heart that the violence was not on the same scale as Tuesday night, but we now need political and community leadership to bring this disorder to an end. There can be no equivocation. This racism must be called out for what it is, our migrant communities must be protected and those involved in this violence must face justice." Article continues below For all the latest news, visit the homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.