Northern Ireland protests LIVE: Bus torched and roads closed in wake of Belfast knife attack

Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister has appealed for “calm” following the “barbaric” Belfast knife attack.

Speaking at a press conference at Stormont, Naomi Long said: “I think all of us were horrified at what we witnessed unfolding last night in North Belfast. And I understand that many people in that community this morning will be traumatised, they will be fearful, and they will be angry at what unfolded on their doorstep, and they have every right to be so.”

The leader of the Alliance Party appealed for people “to remain calm, to allow the police to do their work in terms of their investigation”.

Ms Long added: “Allow the justice system to hold the individual responsible to account for what was a shockingly barbaric attack on our streets. We do not want police resources and other people to be caught up in what could become a very heated situation.

“We want the police to be able to focus on this investigation and deliver the justice that the victim and his family and the wider community deserves.

“We also know that there are many in our community today who are fearful, who are afraid because they fear that others will associate them with the person who was involved in this attack.

“We need to reassure them too that their safety, along with everyone else’s safety, is our primary concern.”