Further 14 officers injured in Belfast and Coleraine disorder

Roads were blocked in both Belfast and Coleraine with burning barricades in another night of attacks on police.

Petrol bombs and masonry were thrown at officers the Tigers Bay area and North Queen Street of the city on Friday night.

A car was also hijacked and set on fire.

Three teenage boys, all aged 14, were arrested during the disorder and have since been released pending further enquiries.

A further 14 officers were injured, including one who was knocked unconscious and was sent to hospital for treatment.

It brings the total number of officers injured during recent violence to 88.

The Northern Ireland Protocol was partly behind violence in Belfast earlier this month. Credit: Presseye

Chief Inspector Darren Fox said: "These were disgraceful scenes, which lasted until approximately 1am, that unfolded on the streets of our city last night. This was reckless and dangerous criminal behaviour which resulted in a number of our officers sustaining injury. 

"Thankfully, most of these injuries are not serious. However, a male officer was knocked unconscious and required hospital treatment. As you can imagine, none of our officers go out expecting to be attacked in this way.“I am appealing to all those with influence to help bring this violence to an end and, to parents, guardians and community leaders, we ask that you use your influence to ensure we do not see a repeat of such disorder."

There was a heavy police presence in the area overnight, with missiles also thrown at officers in the nearby, nationalist area of New Lodge.

VIDEO: Scenes of violence in the Tiger's Bay area of Belfast

Meanwhile, trouble broke out in the Atlantic Road area of Coleraine where petrol bombs and masonry were pelted at officers.

The disorder started at around 7:45pm and last for three hours.

Police say around 40 people, many of them wearing masks and around teenage age, had gathered and attempted to block the road by setting fire to pallets.

SDLP MLA for East Londonderry Cara Hunter branded the scenes “shameful”.



“The last thing people in this community want is further disruption,” Ms Hunter said.

“I understand that tensions are running high, but resorting to this kind of behaviour only damages local people and services.

“The crowd burning refuse, blocking roads and intimidating people in this community needs to stop. They need to go home and let people get on with their lives.”

On Saturday two men charged with rioting offences in the Lanark Way area of west Belfast during the week were denied bail at Laganside Court.

A burning barricade blocks a road in Coleraine, Co Londonderry.

Violence has now flared across Northern Ireland over several nights, with more than 70 police officers injured.

It has largely involved loyalists, however - after clashes between both sides at an interface area at Lanark Way in west Belfast on Wednesday night - Thursday night saw violent scenes predominantly involving nationalist youths in the Springfield Road area.

A water cannon had to be used as officers tried to hold off those pelting them with missiles including petrol bombs and fireworks.

Further loyalist protests had been planned for Friday night, but it is understood they were to be postponed following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Political and community leaders have urged those involved in rioting and disorder to stop before someone is seriously hurt or even killed.

A sign in Belfast calling for the postponement of ongoing protests. Credit: PA

Police have said they do not believe the violence has been "sanctioned and organised by proscribed organisations".

Earlier, a statement from the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) - an umbrella group representing the UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando - claimed that none of its groups were involved in rioting "either directly or indirectly".