Keir Starmer to visit Belfast after riots

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

British prime minister Keir Starmer is to discuss the recent riots in Belfast with the head of the North’s police service during a visit to the city on Monday.

At least 20 police officers were injured in a spate of violent incidents in early August in Belfast.

Bricks, petrol bombs and other missiles were thrown at officers as anti-immigration protests brought wider unrest to the city.

Cars were set alight and a number of businesses were severely damaged.

Elsewhere, a petrol bomb was thrown at a mosque in Newtownards.

Dozens of people have been arrested and charged with offences such as rioting and racially-motivated hate crimes.

Young children were also involved in some of the street disturbances.

Mr Starmer will arrive in Belfast on Monday, where he is expected to be briefed by PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher on operational details relating to the recent unrest.

The pair will also discuss wider policing challenges in Northern Ireland as part of their second engagement since the Mr Starmer took office.

Mr Boutcher has described the PSNI as an “outlier” in terms of funding when compared to police services in England, Scotland, Wales or the Republic.

The PSNI requested the support of scores of officers from Police Scotland to help with the response to the unrest.

It came as PSNI numbers remain more than 1,000 officers below recommended levels.

Mr Starmer will also meet with rank-and-file PSNI officers from across the community who have been directly involved in responding to the violent disorder seen in parts of Belfast.

Additionally, the Prime Minister is expected to undertake a meetings with those involved in the provision of community services which support vulnerable people and families in Northern Ireland.