Police attacked with petrol bombs in north Belfast

Police have been attacked with petrol bombs during disorder in north Belfast.

The PSNI said a number of petrol bombs were thrown at officers by youths in the North Queen Street and New Lodge Road areas on Friday afternoon.

They said further petrol bombs were thrown in the early evening, and a piece of furniture was set alight at North Queen Street where youths had gathered.

There were also reports of youths in the Duncairn Gardens area throwing stones at houses and at passing cars.

Police said North Queen Street had to be closed for a time to allow debris to be cleared.

“We’ve received two reports of criminal damage caused to two vehicles – one on York Street, and a vehicle on North Queen Street - as a result of this senseless behaviour,” a statement added.

“Damage was also reported to have been caused to a property in Hallidays Road where a window was smashed.”

The PSNI said it will “deploy the necessary resources to detect and deter those responsible in a proportionate manner”.

The statement went on: “We will seek to gather evidence to bring those responsible before the courts, whether through evidence gathering or arrests at the time.

“I want to make a direct appeal to the young people who were involved in this reckless activity, and to parents and guardians of young people to please ensure you know where your young people are and what they are doing.

“There will be consequences for those choosing to engage in this type of behaviour."

Gerry Kelly MLA has appealed for calm in the area.

“We have met with multiple statutory agencies and community leaders from all sides of the community to warn them of the potential for escalation and to attempt to defuse this situation," the Sinn Féin representative said.

"The people of north Belfast do not want this type of activity on their streets. I am appealing for calm in the area tonight.

"People should not be living in fear in their homes.”