In a statement following the disorder on Monday, Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said it should be "loudly condemned by all right-thinking people".

"Any attempt to justify or explain it as something else is misplaced," he added.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer also described Monday's violence as "very concerning".

His official spokesperson said: “Obviously, the reports of sexual assault in the area are extremely distressing, but there is no justification for attacks on police officers while they continue to protect local communities.

“PSNI and the justice system must be allowed to carry out their jobs and our thoughts are with the victims of the assault as well as the police officers who were injured.”