Houses were set alight and cars torched in Belfast on Tuesday night after a protest over immigration turned violent. Further disorder broke out in County Antrim on Wednesday evening, with police coming under attack.

The unrest followed a knife attack on Stephen Ogilvie. A Sudanese man has been accused of repeatedly stabbing Mr Ogilvie in the head and face during the incident.

Ron McDowell, deputy leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice, said he had urged masked protesters on the Shankill Road not to resort to violence. He later said residents were angry because migrant families were being given free school uniforms and special menus at a local school, while some locals struggled to access housing. Mr McDowell described a “siege mentality” but warned that violence would undermine their argument.

Dorothy Evitt, a 42 year old resident, said she saw rioters target specific houses on Tuesday night. She said people were shouting from their doors that they were white and had children inside, and that the attackers told white families they were “alright” before moving on. Ms Evitt said the violence was wrong but she supported the protest because migration had placed strain on the area.

On Wednesday night, police used water cannon on Antrim Road after balaclava-clad men threw bricks and petrol bombs at officers. Footage showed dozens of men dressed in black tearing up paving stones and bricks to use as projectiles.

Derek Waters, who has lived on Antrim Road for 30 years, said a peaceful protest spilled into violence. A neighbouring house was broken into and an old vehicle was dragged into the road and set alight. The property, which belongs to a 91 year old man, was empty at the time. Mr Waters and his wife Lorna said they were scared their own home and car would be targeted.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said “law and order will be coming” for those involved, and condemned what he called mindless thuggery that put residents in fear.