In a joint statement, all of the Northern Ireland Executive ministers today made an “urgent appeal for calm across society”.

“The alleged serious sexual assault reported on 7 June in Ballymena was appalling and our collective thoughts are with the victim and their loved ones at this deeply traumatic time,” they said.

“It is paramount that the justice process is now allowed to take its course so that this heinous crime can be robustly investigated. Those weaponising the situation in order to sow racial tensions do not care about seeing justice and have nothing to offer their communities but division and disorder.

“While all of our citizens have the right to engage in peaceful protest, there can never be any justification for the violence that has taken place in recent days, during which residents have been terrorised and numerous PSNI officers injured.

“We send our best wishes to all of those affected by these senseless acts and thank the PSNI and the NI Fire and Rescue Service for their efforts in ensuring that no one has been seriously injured or worse.”

They concluded: “As an Executive, we work collectively every day to create a safe, prosperous and welcoming Northern Ireland for all.

“We are urging everyone in our communities to play their part in that effort and reject the divisive agenda being pursued by a minority of destructive, bad faith actors.”

Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn also condemned the “terrible scenes of civil disorder in Ballymena, and other reported disorder, over recent days”.

“The PSNI must be given the time they need to properly investigate the distressing incident concerned,” he said.

“There is absolutely no justification for the disgraceful attacks we have seen on PSNI officers, and on people’s homes and property.

“This appalling violence and vandalism must cease immediately, and those involved will be brought to justice.

“I pay tribute to the PSNI, and those personnel from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who have worked in difficult conditions over the past few days to keep people safe. 

“I also express my gratitude to those community leaders who are working hard night and day to bring this disorder to an end, and to seek ways in which their area can thrive, rather than be a site of destruction.”