Violence erupts on Belfast streets

The streets of North Belfast erupted into violence today as rival gangs clashed in the streets.

Police vehicles came under attack in the North Queen Street area of the city after responding to reports that a number of houses in the Duncairn Gardens area had been stoned.

Officers said the houses were stoned at around 2.20pm.

Police moved in to separate rival loyalist and nationalist gangs but came under attack from Nationalists at about 3pm.

There were reports that at least one vehicle had been hijacked and that some people had been injured.

Sinn Féin alleges the disturbances were kicked off by supporters of the loyalist Ulster Defence Association.