A second night of serious disorder has broken out in Ballymena, County Antrim, with petrol bombs, masonry and fireworks being thrown at police. Crowds have gathered in the Clonavon Terrace area, which is also where violent disorder, described as "racist thuggery", broke out on Monday night.

Disorder in Northern Ireland has continued for a third day and spread across the country as rioters hurled petrol bombs, masonry and fireworks at police.Over 30 police officers have been injured during the sustained unrest while multiple properties and vehicles have been set on fire.

Some 63 police officers have been injured in what has been called a “ week of shame ” in Northern Ireland. Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson says six arrests have been made so far, as he requests mutual aid from police in Great Britain.

Police in Northern Ireland have faced four consecutive days of violence in the wake of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena that sparked riots, leaving residents terrified

A number of projectiles have been launched at police in Ballymena, including petrol bombs and fireworks in another night of violence in the town.

Mutual aid agreements are uncommon and are generally "incident based," according to the National Police Chiefs

Rioters descended on the streets of Ballymena in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, where they are tearing through a neighbourhood rocked by a recent alleged sexual assault

Petrol bombs, a hatchet and masonry were among items thrown at police during a third consecutive night of disorder in Ballymena. Officers responded with water cannon, dogs and plastic baton rounds in an attempt to disperse crowds in the Co Antrim town.

Rioters threw a hatchet at police officers during a third night of disorder in Ballymena. Multiple petrol bombs, bricks, heavy masonry and fireworks were flung at officers in the Northern Ireland town for a third night in a row.

Petrol bombs, a hatchet and masonry were among items thrown at police during a third consecutive night of disorder in Ballymena. Officers responded with water cannon, dogs and plastic baton rounds in an attempt to disperse crowds in the Co Antrim town.