NORTHERN IRELAND suffered another night on Thursday of what many observers have labelled racist violence.

In Portadown, County Armagh, a crowd attacked police with masonry from a derelict building.

During the first three days of violence, which began in Ballymena, County Antrim, homes were attacked, cars set on fire and 41 police officers were injured.

The rioting began on Monday after a peaceful protest over the alleged sexual assault of a young girl by teenage boys of Romanian origin.

Mukesh Sharma, the chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said: “The violence is racism — pure and simple.

“It is hard to find the words to describe the scenes of vitriol and hatred on our streets.”

Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief ConstableJon Boutcher told reporters that families had been forced to hide in their attics and wardrobes to escape the violence in Ballymena.

He described the riots as racist and said the original peaceful protest had been hijacked.

Police and fire service had to step in to help families “who have done nothing wrong,” he said.

“We stand absolutely shoulder to shoulder with the diverse communities in Northern Ireland.

“These bigots and racists will not win the day.”

Jody Esguerra, an outreach worker for the Filipino community said he had received reports of a family stuck inside their home with “mobs and protesters” trying to enter, while “smashing the windows.”

He said: “They’re scared for their lives.”

On Thursday evening an anti-racism protest was held in west Belfast, with speakers from the Northern Ireland Public Services Alliance trade union and representatives from People Before Profit.