PSNI have lucky escape from mob

PSNI officers had a lucky escape when a 100-strong mob battered police vehicles with bricks and stones yesterday, police in west Belfast have revealed.

The rioting flared up when officers responded to reports of dangerous driving in Albert Street at around 6.30pm yesterday.

When Police Service of Northern Ireland officers arrived at the scene they were attacked by about 70 youths armed with stones and other missiles.

They managed to calm the situation but were called back to the area an hour later.

The officers were then confronted by a crowd which had swollen to about 100 people who pelted the vehicles with stones and bricks, causing extensive damage.

Police said today their officers were lucky to have escaped injury.