Long described an encounter she had with a young woman on Tuesday who was from Somalia - the country where at that time the police believed the attacker originated from.

"She was shaking and in tears because she is so frightened and so upset about what has happened. And there is no reason why she should feel guilt or fear.

"She did nothing wrong; he did something wrong. And that's what we need to focus on - bringing the individual responsible to justice... and ensuring our communities are safe for everyone, whether they're a foreign national or whether they've lived here their whole lives."

The justice minister said she understands "why people are angry and frightened" by the "gruesome" nature of the attack, but that the most important thing now is to "keep everyone in our communities safe".

Image source, PA Media

Earlier, Northern Ireland Justice Minister Naomi Long said her thoughts are with the victim, his family, and "all those who lived in the neighbourhood who will have been rightly terrified and shocked by what they've seen".

She said she also knows many people from ethnic minority backgrounds living in Northern Ireland who are "very frightened about any kind of retaliation or backlash against them".

She added there is "nothing to be gained by whipping up fear and tension, making the situation even more dangerous for innocent people".

The justice minister said all Northern Ireland's political parties agree that "we need to stop these dangerous narratives and weaponising what is already a horrific attack".

Long said she is concerned about what will happen across Northern Ireland in the next few days and confirmed she had already seen people "trying to stir up that descent and anger on social media".

Image source, Social media

Here are the major points we heard from PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson in the news conference:

• The victim, who was already known to be in a serious condition, has suffered significant injuries to his eyes and serious slash wounds to his back and face
• Henderson said a weapon, believed to be a kitchen knife, was recovered from the scene
• He said that while he understands questions over the nature of the attack, there is no information that it was "terrorist-related"
• He praised members of the public who intervened in the attack, saying they were "heroic" and had saved a life
• He said the suspect, who is in police custody, is believed to be Sudanese and had arrived in Northern Ireland from Dublin, saying he understands the man had been granted leave to remain
• Henderson said the police are aware of calls for protests today, and have appealed for calm - he also said there will be an increased police presence across Northern Ireland in the coming days and that the PSNI has received offers of assistance from other police forces in the UK
• He added for the public not to speculate on the condition of the victim

Henderson says he recognises everyone who has seen the footage of the attack will be "filled with revulsion, fear and horror".

He recognises communities will feel fear and that police will be increasing their "visible presence" over the coming days.

He says police are actively engaging with community groups across Northern Ireland "who we know will be affected by this".

With that, the news conference comes to a close.

Image source, PA Media

Henderson says he understands people will be feeling a range of emotions from fear through to anger after the attack and will "want to have their voices heard".

However, he called for calm, saying he hopes people who want to protest will allow other people to go about their own business without interference.

Asked about the condition of the victim, Henderson replies that he is "seriously injured and in hospital".

He asks people not to speculate about the victim's health and status as it has the potential to lead to people feeling more angry and upset, adding that updates will be provided for clarity in due course.

Henderson also says the PSNI have had "offers of support" from police forces across the UK.

He adds the government has also offered support "to make sure the PSNI are getting what we need" in the days ahead.

Henderson says those people who intervened were "heroic" and that they "saved the life" of the victim".

"That is the values of this country, that is the incredible community spirit."

Next, Henderson is asked about social media posts calling for protests in Belfast.

He says he is aware of the posts and he understands people will want to have their voice heard.

Henderson says Northern Ireland police are very experienced in managing peaceful protests and they are not advising premises to close and he expects people will be able to go about their lives.

Giving more details on the suspect who is in custody, Henderson adds that the initial belief was the male was Somali but police now believe him to be Sudanese.

He does not want to "deflect" on immigration status as the Home Office will give "further clarity" however it is his "understanding is that the individual came into Northern Ireland from Dublin" and then was "granted leave to remain".

He adds that colleagues from the Home Office will be "confirming that in more detail in due course".

Now, the PSNI's Ryan Henderson is discussing the police's response to the attack, saying officers were on the scene in north Belfast quickly.

He says over the course of the coming hours they will learn more about the motivation for the attack, adding that the PSNI's understanding is the suspect lived close by.

The PSNI assistant chief constable says he's aware of speculation about the suspect's immigration status.

He says that after discussing it with the Home Office, he understands the suspect was given leave to remain in Northern Ireland, but the Home Office will be confirming the exact details in the coming days.

Henderson says the police are aware of calls for protests and they are monitoring the situation.

He says officers have role to accommodate peaceful protests, but he appealed for calm.

He adds no one wants to see disorder as young people often get caught up in it.

Henderson adds that the public will be looking for answers.

He says that teams are "committed" to provide "clear, factual and accurate information" and will continue to provide updates today and tomorrow.

ACC Henderson says he understands there is "considerable" posting on social media and people have "real concerns".

However, he asks the public "to be very mindful of what they share online".

He says the sharing of footage could increase the risk of further trauma for the injured man's "loved ones".

ACC Henderson says the victim was taken to hospital with significant injuries to his eyes and serious slash wound injuries to his back and face.

The suspect, who is believed to be Sudanese, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder.

"What is believed to be a kitchen knife was recovered at the scene," the officer added.

He said police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack at present.

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ACC Henderson says the "brutal attack has sent shockwaves through our communities" and he wants to reassure them that their safety is the police's priority.

He says the public can expect to see an increased police presence across Northern Ireland this evening and the coming days, to help support and keep communities safe.

ACC Henderson says he understands there will be questions "regarding the nature of the attack".

He adds that after liaising with counter-terrorism partners there is no information that this was a "terrorist-related incident".

ACC Henderson says it is important to acknowledge at the very outset the "bravery of those members of the public who ran towards danger to intervene and help the injured man".

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson starts the press conference by saying his and the PSNI's thoughts are with the victim and his family.

He says detectives and specialist officers are supporting them at this difficult time.