Police fire plastic bullets in effort to contain racist riots in Northern Ireland

PSNI receive reinforcements from Great Britain amid further condemnation of violence Police have fired plastic bullets and received reinforcements from Great Britain in an effort to contain racist rioting in Northern Ireland. The force has fired 17 of the projectiles since disturbances erupted on Tuesday, pitting officers against crowds that have thrown rocks, petrol bombs and other missiles. The disclosure on Thursday came amid further condemnation of violence that has targeted minority ethnic people after dissemination of a graphic video of a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday night. The condition of the victim of the attack was said to be improving and that he could be released from an induced coma within the next 48 hours. Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland secretary of state, told Sky News: “If you are targeting people on the basis of the colour of their skin, how else can you describe them? That is racist thuggery, there’s no question about it at all.” Two hundred additional officers from Great Britain are to reinforce the Police Service of Northern Ireland, which is bracing for a potential third consecutive night of unrest. Twelve officers have been injured and 16 people