Protesters have gathered in Belfast, where bins have been set alight and a bus has been burnt out
Traffic has also been blocked as people gather in other towns in Northern Ireland
It comes as a man has been charged with attempted murder over Monday's knife attack in the city
The 30-year-old has also been charged with possession of an article with blade or point in a public place and threats to kill
The victim of the attack suffered injuries to his eyes, back and face. Police described the alleged attacker as a Sudanese man
Earlier, police and political leaders called for calm, saying there would be an increased police presence in the coming days
Earlier the Home Office said he entered the UK in 2023 and was granted refugee status that year. He will appear in court on Wednesday
Richard Morgan
BBC News NI
There are multiple fires burning on Crumlin Road towards west Belfast, including bins placed in the middle of the road.
Thick black smokes fills the air, as masked individuals add more material to keep the fires going.
The fire service is responding as the police monitor the scene.
Image source, PA MediaMike Nesbitt is NI's health minister
More reaction now from politicians in Northern Ireland, with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, from the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), posting on social media saying: "I deplore these acts of violence, apparently staged in protest against a deplorable and inhuman act of knife violence last night.
"What do people want this to achieve? Where do they want it to end?"
Image source, PA MediaEducation Minister Paul Givan
Education Minister Paul Given from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) says any violence at anti-immigration demonstrations will “distract” from protesters’ message.
Givan attended a protest in Lisburn on Tuesday evening, which followed Monday night’s knife attack in Belfast.
“There is a genuine shock about what happened last night. I think it has sent shockwaves across the community," he says.
"What we have witnessed here in Lisburn has been a peaceful protest because people have felt that their voices aren’t being listened to, particularly when it comes to uncontrolled immigration within the United Kingdom and on the island of Ireland."
He adds that people "should express their views in a peaceful manner".
Northern Ireland Justice Minister Naomi Long says those who are carrying out violent acts are "weaponising genuine hurt, concern and anger" that people are feeling.
Long said it is "simply disingenuous" to claim this is being carried out for the good of Northern Ireland.
“There is no place for masked thugs to take to the streets and threaten, intimidate, disrupt and cause wanton damage
She appealed to communities not to allow themselves to be "used and abused" in this manner.
“Disorder on the streets, such as we are seeing tonight, is diverting valuable police resources away from those who genuinely need them," she said.
"These are not the actions of people who genuinely care about their communities.
“While I recognise and understand the concerns following on from the attack in north Belfast, hate cannot be allowed to win.”
We're starting to get some political reaction to the trouble on the streets in Northern Ireland tonight.
First up, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has appealed for protesters to “act in an entirely peaceful way”.
“I know all are horrified about what has happened. I know so many are angry and there are those who want to register a protest,” she says, referring to last night's knife attack.
But she says violence does not “advance any cause, it damages it".
“Destroying things within your own community benefits no one. Taking frustration at the evil actions of a person out on those who had no part in it is utterly wrong,” the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) minister says.
Image source, PA MediaShe urged parents to contact their children if they are out on the streets.
“There will inevitably be arrests for violence, those engaging in disorder will be recorded and follow up arrests and prosecutions will follow,” the deputy first minister says.
That, she adds, will be “life-changing for young people - get them home and away from danger if you can".
Kelly Bonner
BBC News NI
Car on fire after disorder in Belfast
A car on fire on Lendrick Street, off the Newtownards Road where there has been disorder tonight, exploded a moment ago - there's about 80 masked men in attendance.
Dan Johnson
BBC News
What is left of the bus is still burning, but it’s almost totally destroyed.
And more large commercial bins have been set alight here in the middle of the Newtownards Road, which is still blocked with smoke rising into the sky.
More firefighters have arrived but they’re holding back for now, letting the fires burn rather than approaching the crowd of masked youngsters.
The police are also staying back. We’ve just seen a convoy of four armoured police land rovers racing down Newtownards Road but they turned off to head elsewhere because we’ve heard there are other pockets of disorder across Belfast and elsewhere in Northern Ireland.
Richard Morgan
BBC News NI
The fire service has arrived in an attempt to extinguish multiple blazes here on the Crumlin Road towards west Belfast.
The PSNI is using one of its vehicles to protect the fire engine.
From where I am standing, I can hear debris being thrown at the PSNI land rover.
We’ve just had an update from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) who have appealed for calm following "sporadic pockets of disorder".
It comes after a 30-year-old man, who the police have said is Sudanese, was charged with attempted murder after a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday night.
Here’s what has happened so far this evening:
Keiron Tourish
BBC News NI north west reporter
There’s been some traffic disruption in Derry where protestors blocked the main A6 road between the city and Belfast for a time this evening.
Police set up road blocks and diverted traffic into the village of Drumahoe. At one point there was a lengthy build-up of traffic on the main A6.
Minister speaks to protesters on the Newtownards Road in Belfast
A reverend speaking to a masked individual on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast a little earlier, where a bus has been set on fire.
Kelly Bonner
BBC News NI
Crowds gathered at McMaster Street in Lower Newtownards Road in east Belfast.
About 100 masked men made their way down the street and kicked in doors and broke windows.
They said they were "getting the foreigners out".
Dan Johnson
BBC News
The explosions heard earlier on the Newtownards Road in Belfast are thought to be the tyres of the Glider bus burning.
This is what authorities and politicians were warning against earlier, as the fire could have spread to nearby buildings, putting property and lives at risk.
Crowds of people are so far being allowed to stand in the area. Protesters have set flares and thrown things at the emergency services.
A reverend came out on to the street to ask masked men to stop.
Richard Morgan
BBC News NI
The Crumlin Road in Belfast is closed at a junction with Bilston Road due to bins on a fire in the middle of the road.
I have just seen a PSNI land rover being attacked by masked individuals.
Protesters gather in Belfast as smoke rises near city centre
Image source, PAPSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson says there have been "sporadic pockets of disorder" in a number of locations across Northern Ireland tonight.
He urged everyone to remain calm, act responsibly and avoid any activity that could place themselves or others at risk.
"Officers are on the ground, working alongside partner agencies, responding to incidents as they arise and helping to keep people safe."
He asked "all voices of influence within local communities to encourage peaceful protest and discourage any involvement in violence or disorder".
Ita Dungan
BBC News NI
At the Cloughfern roundabout in Newtownabbey, two cars are on fire in the middle of the road.
Peter McReynolds, Alliance party assembly member for East Belfast, says he is "disgusted" at the "destruction and violence" that has happened on the Newtownards Road, after a bus was set on fire.
On a post on Facebook, McReynolds says: "This serves no one, changes nothing and damages our community.
"Thoughts with the Glider staff, our community in fear this evening during this destruction and our under pressure PSNI officers facing down this violence this evening."
Image source, PA MediaAs we reported earlier, a bus has been set alight on the Newtownards Road.
Northern Ireland's public transport operator Translink has said: “We utterly condemn this attack on our service.
“The safety of our staff and customers is our top priority and all Metro, Glider, Ulsterbus and Goldliner services (operating in and out of Belfast) have been suspended.
“We are liaising closely with the PSNI and will continue to follow their guidance.”
Dan Johnson
BBC News
Image source, PAI'm at the Newtownards Road where a Glider bus has been set on fire.
Fire engines and police cars are at the bottom of the road and appear to be assessing the situation before approaching.
Richard Morgan
BBC News NI
Police officers are observing those gathered at the top of Antrim town.Protestors are blocking traffic from entering or leaving Antrim through Fountain Street.
