Acting Chief Constable of the PSNI, Colin Cramphorn, has described the loyalist and republican paramilitary threat as ‘very real’ last year, and was reflected in the rise in shootings and bombings.

Water cannon will be used in a bid to clear sectarian rioters off the streets of Belfast, police have said.

Water cannons are set to be used on the streets of Belfast in the next 24 hours in a bid to clear sectarian rioters off the streets.

Northern Ireland’s most senior police officer was today set to be quizzed about paramilitary involvement in the sectarian violence engulfing parts of Belfast.

The Ulster Defence Association has given an undertaking it will ensure loyalists living in a sectarian flashpoint area of north Belfast behave responsibly over the coming days, it was claimed today.

Tensions in north Belfast were on a knife edge tonight amid fears that the bitter sectarian violence blighting the area could spiral out of control.