Rising Racism in Belfast: A Growing Concern

By Orla Lloyd 

I was in Belfast during the racist riots over the summer, and a feeling of unease ran through the city. In what world was any of this okay? There has been a sharp rise in racist attacks on both immigrants and people of colour over the past few years, yet this in particular was a part of a larger plot to spread racist vitriol across the UK. According to the PSNI’s figures, racial hate crimes rose by a third between August 2023 and 2024, compared to the previous year. This is the ‘highest 12 month level since the data series began in 2004/05′ [1]. 409 additional incidents were reported in Northern Ireland [2]. Connected to the Southport stabbings in the summer of 2024, 45 arrests were made with 35 people being charged. Seven of those arrested were under the age of 18, the youngest of which being only 11 years old. 

Context 

Following the Southport stabbings, in which 3 young girls were murdered on the 29th of July, 2024, a series of racially motivated attacks occurred across the UK. In Belfast, among those targeted were a Syrian refugee, multiple Muslims and people of colour. The attacks followed a surge of misinformation that the attacker was a refugee, when in fact, he was born and raised in England. Far right extremists were looking for an excuse to coordinate attacks against communities they deemed responsible for the issues in their country, rather than taking aim at our policy makers. In Belfast, Muslim people and businesses bore the brunt of the attacks and the vitriol towards immigrants became stark. However, a peaceful counter protest was organised, with the wider community coming out in troves to denounce this disgusting behaviour. This protest highlights how now more than ever we need to support the people of our community, especially the most vulnerable ones, the ones most likely to experience violence for simply looking different. 

Part of a wider problem  

Still, this isn’t a one off incident. This is a part of a scarier trend that we must take aim at immediately. Within the last year, there has been a rise in racially motivated attacks across Belfast. In february, racist graffiti was sprayed across a man’s home along Beechmount st [3]. That same day, a man was knocked unconscious in the Royal Avenue area [4]. In august, a car was lit on fire in the Frenchpark area [5]. That same month on Oban St, a man’s head was stomped on in a racially motivated attack [6]. It is endless. 

What are politicians doing to combat this behaviour?  

The Public Order (Northern Ireland) 1987, section 23b gives the power to stop and search people in anticipation of violence for a period exceeding no more than 24 hours. It was exercised during the riots by PSNI if people protesting had face coverings on. This discourages violence as people are less likely to get away with racist attacks without consequences, but it does not do enough. The Belfast Council announced a £600,000 fund to combat racism, focused primarily on the Sandy Row/ Donegall Rd., Woodvale, Greater Falls and Connswater [7]. The expected outcomes of these funds are as follows; 

1. Community Projects which provide increased integration, Inclusion and Orientation for the Migrant Community in Belfast 

  2. A reduction in Anti-Muslim hate. 

  3.  Increased Community Leadership and Competence. 

In conversation with the mayor of Belfast, Micky Murray, he highlights the lack of diversity amongst politicians in leading roles in Belfast- mentioning how people of colour are ran only in jurisdictions where they are unlikely to win. ‘We do not promote minorities in political parties as well as we should.’ This highlights the systemic problem people of colour and immigrants are facing. Yet, parties aren’t being held accountable for a purposeful lack of diversity in leading positions. Therefore, the voices of POC are again undermined as there is no representation, and nobody who has experienced the racism that they have. How are we supposed to find solutions for problems we don’t truly understand? This is outrageous behaviour from our local parties that can’t be left unchecked. 

It is beyond important to remind ourselves, however, that these wars in countries such as Palestine, Ukraine, Syria are not the fault of its own people. Innocent people are being displaced through no fault of their own and they have nowhere to go. Losing community and family. ‘Locals Only?’ Really? To proclaim that we must shut our doors and refuse to house immigrants echoes a colonialist mindset that has only ever caused harm, especially in our own country.  

To have to leave your homeland in search of safety, losing community and entering the unfamiliar, is a feat that many are forced to undertake each year. Can you imagine how isolating that must be? As Irish people, this is a plight we of all people should be familiar with, considering the erasure we faced whilst being occupied by the British, and then again the violence faced by both Catholics and Protestants during the Troubles. To ignore and harass minorities is wholly unirish and needs to be rooted out. These are people, if there is an issue with jobs or homes being ‘stolen’ from Irish people, it should be brought up to the government, not by way of misdirected and ignorant violence.  

Sources: 

[1] PSNI (2025) Hate motivation statistics, PSNI. Available at: https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-publications-and-reports/official-statistics/hate-motivation-statistics

[2] PSNI (2023). Incidents and Crimes with a Hate Motivation Recorded by the Police in Northern Ireland Update to 30th June 2024. [online] Available at: https://www.psni.police.uk/system/files/2024-08/1050879717/Hate%20Motivations%20Bulletin%20Period%20ending%2030th%20June%202024.pdf

[3] Clinton, O. (2025). Man’s home targeted in ‘disgraceful’ racist attack in Belfast. [online] Belfast Live. Available at: https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/mans-home-targeted-disgraceful-racist-30923641

[4] Clinton, O. (2025). Man knocked unconscious during racist attack in Belfast. [online] Belfast Live. Available at: https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/belfast-appeal-after-man-knocked-30970454

[5] PSNI (2024). Appeal follows racially-motivated arson attack in south Belfast | PSNI. [online] PSNI. Available at: https://www.psni.police.uk/latest-news/appeal-follows-racially-motivated-arson-attack-south-belfast

[6] Ainsworth, P. (2024). Disgust as victim’s head is stamped on in Belfast racist attack. [online] The Irish News. Available at: https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/disgust-as-victims-head-is-stamped-on-in-belfast-racist-attack-635EZ3CT4BFFNDUWJUL7XIVYHE/

[7] Belfast City Council (2025). Agenda item – Community Recovery Fund. [online] Belfast City Council. Available at: https://minutes.belfastcity.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=81703