A cafe and a supermarket in south Belfast have been badly damaged by fire after attacks which followed anti-immigration protests in the city.

Supermarket manager Bashir’s store was extensively damaged by fire. He said that the Islamic community was being targeted. “People attacked this place, racism against Islam and Muslims, especially the Muslim community,” Mr Bashir said. “All of that happened and the police did nothing, I am telling you the truth. What kind of police are letting the people burn everything down?”

“To see far right thugs – many of whom had no connection to the area – rampage through Botanic Avenue and the Holyland, areas proud of their diversity, was appalling,” SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole said at an antiracism rally in Belfast city centre. “There was nothing legitimate about their actions. They had no cause other than hate and no agenda other than destruction. As I said at city hall yesterday, these thugs will not win. Our city, particularly the south of the city, is proud of its diversity and will defend it against hate. There was nothing legitimate about their actions. They had no cause other than hate and no agenda other than destruction. As I said at city hall yesterday, these thugs will not win. Our city, particularly the south of the city, is proud of its diversity and will defend it against hate.”

DUP MLA Edwin Poots said many of those involved were not from south Belfast. He said: “The violence witnessed in south Belfast is totally wrong and unacceptable. Many of those engaged in the violence are not local and many in the local community are expressing their unhappiness at the rioting.”