Police in Belfast have appealed for public calm following a knife attack captured on video that has sparked calls for anti-immigration demonstrations. The incident comes a year after a series of migration-related riots in Northern Ireland last June.
Authorities in Northern Ireland confirmed the arrest of a Sudanese national in connection with the stabbing, which left one individual with serious injuries. The case is currently being treated as attempted murder, with no evidence yet suggesting a terrorist motive.
Officials urged the public to remain calm as far-right figures called for anti-migration protests, marking a year since widespread unrest in Northern Ireland following the alleged attempted rape of a schoolgirl.
What did police say about the crime?
Northern Ireland's Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson described Monday night's incident as a "critical incident" but stated that investigators have not found any indications of a terrorist motive so far.
"I understand that last night's attempted murder will leave people feeling a range of emotions, from fear to anger," Henderson told a press conference. "I appeal for calm and the safety of all of our communities in response to this."
The victim, a man in his 40s, sustained severe injuries to his eyes, along with slash wounds to his face and back, during the attack involving a kitchen knife, Henderson said.
Video of the incident circulating online showed several members of the public intervening before police arrived, as the suspect—a 30-year-old Sudanese man—continued to attack the victim after he had fallen to the ground.
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, Henderson said. Based on preliminary information, the man lived locally, having been granted permission to remain in the area after moving from Dublin, south of the Irish border.
"He is in custody, and at this time, we are not seeking anyone else in connection with this investigation," Henderson added.
How did Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other politicians react?
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the attack as sickening and thanked members of the public who stepped in to assist.
"The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening," he wrote online. "I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets. My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, and I thank the first responders, including members of the public who intervened."
Northern Ireland's main political leaders issued a joint statement condemning the attack as "horrific" and urging calm while police conduct their investigation.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, in a speech at Stormont, called for "clear, timely, and transparent communication" from authorities during the investigation, saying it was "essential to establish the facts but also address any misinformation or rumor."
Why are migrant crime tensions elevated in Northern Ireland and the wider UK?
Hundreds of people attended an anti-immigration demonstration in Belfast later on Tuesday.
Masked youths were seen gathering at various locations across the city, with a bus set on fire in the eastern part of Belfast.
London also saw a few dozen protesters blocking Parliament Square.
This followed a widely shared post by far-right agitator Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, who called for widespread protests across the UK on Tuesday evening, listing 70 locations for gatherings in larger towns and cities.
Among others, Robinson supporter Elon Musk amplified the message, writing on the social media platform he owns: "Only by protesting REPEATEDLY and LOUDLY will there be any change!"
This comes after protests following the murder conviction last week of a Sikh man for killing a white university student in Southampton, England, in December.
The case drew particular attention because police initially handcuffed the victim after the killer falsely claimed he had been the target of a racist attack when officers arrived at the scene.
In Northern Ireland specifically, a week of unrest and riots occurred last June following the alleged attempted rape of a schoolgirl by two Romanian nationals.
"Nobody, nobody in Northern Ireland wants to see a repeat of the disorder that we have seen in recent years," Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said on Tuesday.
Don't let the algorithm hide the news. If you rely on our team for trusted reporting, please take a moment to select us as your Preferred Source on Google by clicking here and hitting the "star" or "preferred" button, so you'll always see our verified news first.
Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez and Wesley Dockery
Your feedback