ONLY 19 people have been arrested so far in connection with this week’s racist mob violence in parts of the North of Ireland, it was reported today.

The arrests followed two nights where hundreds of masked protesters terrorised areas of Belfast and other towns in the North of Ireland, attacking any homes or properties they believed were connected to black or immigrant people.

The racist attacks were sparked after footage of a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday night was shared widely on social media.

Hadi Alodid, originally from Sudan, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder over the incident in north Belfast on Monday that caused serious injuries to the victim, Stephen Ogilvie.

The fire service was called to the Shore Road on Thursday night where a fire had been set at the rear of a house — there have been no reports of injuries.

But Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said today that Thursday night’s protests were “much calmer than we have seen in recent days.

“There were peaceful protests last night at a number of locations, including Newtownabbey, with no significant incidents of public disorder.”

He added: “Our policing operation will remain over the weekend to ensure public order is maintained.”