City tense after sectarian clashes

Violence among rival gangs has subsided after clashes erupted in a sectarian flashpoint area of North Belfast, police said.

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

Officers moved in to separate rival loyalist and nationalist gangs but police came under attack from nationalists later on.

Sinn Fein claimed the disturbances were kicked off by supporters of the loyalist Ulster Defence Association.

Sinn Fein councillor Gerard Brophy said: ‘‘Around 40 to 50 loyalists led by one well-known loyalist tried to erect UDA flags on nationalist houses.

‘‘People came out and all hell broke loose but instead of protecting nationalists, the security forces moved in on them.

A police spokeswoman said nine officers had been injured with one taken to hospital with a leg injury. A soldier suffered a broken nose.

Several vehicles were hijacked and a burning car was rolled towards police lines. One person was arrested.

A police spokesman said today that rioting had subsided but added that the situation on the ground remained tense.

A nationalist Assembly member for north Belfast appealed for calm after today’s disturbances.

The SDLP’s Alban Maginness said: ‘‘There is a need for calm and restraint on all sides.

‘‘People should behave with dignity and restraint in all circumstances as north Belfast is facing a very dangerous situation at this moment in time.

‘‘Anyone who indulges in parades or disturbances is creating an even worse situation because there is the potential for considerable disturbances. People have got to pull back from any situation which could cause problems.’’