ARDOYNE RIOTS: Rioters upload violent film clips on internet
RIOTERS involved in the Ardoyne disturbances over the Twelfth period have been uploading graphic video footage of their violent and destructive activities onto the internet.
Ignoring PSNI warnings that "all media sources" are being monitored for evidence, several among the crowds attacking police lines recorded much of the disorder on mobile phones and video cameras.
The popular YouTube website now has dozens of videos showing acts of violence directed against the police, including petrol bombings, attacks with metal bars, and one clip where a bicycle is dropped on an officer's head from the roof of a building.
Many of the amateur videos have also recorded a running commentary of events which gives an insight into the rioters' mindset.
Anti-Orange protestors have highlighted their reasons for calling people on to the streets, but the footage appears to show the disorder to be a source of entertainment for most of the laughing youths involved.
There are also some disturbing viewers' comments posted on the discussion threads adjacent to the YouTube video footage.
One posting urges the rioters to be more ruthless when attacking the police saying: "You should fire crossbow bolts at their legs – they don't have any armour on their legs."
Some of the commentaries have also served to undermine the organisers' claims to seek non-violent protest only.
During police attempts to remove sit-down protestors blocking the main Crumlin Road at Ardoyne, some of those obstructing the police operation can be clearly heard shouting "hit him – hit him" as the first officer moves in.
As well as showing the worst of the violence, careful examination of the protestors' footage also highlights the way policing operations have evolved in modern times.
One of those involved in the Ardoyne sit-down protest on the Twelfth filmed a PSNI attempt to move the group off the road. As the police close in on the seated demonstrators, two officers are filming with camcorders and one is using a digital camera.
A spokesman for the PSNI confirmed that officers are monitoring YouTube and various other websites.
"Police continue to work to identify those involved in this rioting, arrest them and where appropriate bring them before the courts," he said.
"Anyone engaged in this disorder will be investigated and runs the very real risk of being arrested, prosecuted and ending up with criminal records."
The spokesman said a team of 20 officers has been specially designated to probe the recent disorder and added: "Police will continue to work with the community, political representatives and other partners to help ensure we never have to witness public disorder on this scale again."
A YouTube spokesperson said: "YouTube has clear policies that prohibit inappropriate content on the site. Our community understands the rules and polices the site for inappropriate material.
"When users feel content is inappropriate they can flag it and our staff then review it as quickly as possible to see if it violates our terms of use. If users repeatedly break these rules we disable their accounts."
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Weather for Belfast
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
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