Baton rounds fired as loyalists riot

Police fired a number of plastic baton rounds and arrested two people following serious rioting in Belfast city centre last night.

A crowd of up to 75 loyalists attacked officers with blast bombs and petrol bombs in the Sandy Row area.

There were also reports of shots being fired.

Roads around the flashpoint remained closed today as burnt out cars and debris blocked routes.

A police spokeswoman said the trouble began at around 8pm when a minibus was hijacked and set alight.

She said: ‘‘Military were deployed and police to contain the situation. They came under attack by a crowd of around 75 who threw bricks, bottles, petrol bombs and blast bombs.

‘‘There were also reports of shots having been fired. Two people have been arrested and baton rounds were fired during the disturbances.’’

Earlier yesterday, shopkeepers were clearing up after disturbances in nearby Bradbury Place.

Four police officers were injured during street clashes at around 2am and firemen also came under attack as they dealt with fires.

Several cars and a shop front were set alight.