The unrest in Northern Ireland was triggered by a stabbing in Belfast. Police deployed water cannon for a second consecutive night to disperse rioters. Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Benn, described the riots as racist thuggery. Twelve police officers were injured during the disorder, according to the Guardian. Police arrested 16 people during the second night of unrest, as reported by the Bangkok Post. According to arise.tv, rioters targeted ethnic minorities and foreign residents, and attempted to reach a hotel outside Belfast that has previously housed asylum seekers. A Sudanese man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the stabbing, according to arise.tv. The DUP leader, Gavin Robinson, said there was less violence on the second night than on Monday and described the rioters' behavior as 'unBritish', according to the Guardian. Reuters reporters observed what appeared to be plastic bullets on the streets, but the Police Service of Northern Ireland declined to comment on their use, as reported by arise.tv. Two days of anti-immigration violence occurred in Northern Ireland, according to the Bangkok Post.