Police behaviour sparked riot, claim residents

RESIDENTS yesterday claimed that heavy-handed action by police was to blame for a riot in Belfast which led to 40 police officers being injured during a clash with angry loyalists.

During the clashes in the Crumlin Road and Woodvale areas, police fired 11 plastic baton rounds.

Residents blamed police behaviour during raids earlier in the day connected to a probe into a loyalist paramilitary feud, claiming officers used abusive language towards children.