PSNI officers attacked with petrol bombs in north Belfast

Police officers came under attack in north Belfast last night amid escalating loyalist violence in the area.

The officers were carrying out a search operation in the Ballysillan area of the city at around 6.30pm when petrol bombs were thrown at them by a loyalist mob.

Four PSNI vehicles were damaged in the attack and one person was arrested, but no police were injured.

Tensions have been escalating in north Belfast over the past few days due to a renewed feud between the Ulster Volunteer Force and the breakaway Loyalist Volunteer Force.

On Saturday night, three men were arrested after a shooting incident linked to the feud, while eight taxis were also set alight and one driver was assaulted.

On Sunday night, meanwhile, two women had black paint thrown over them at their home on the Shankill Road and were told to leave the area within 12 hours.

Protestant clergymen are hoping to set up talks later today to quell the violence, while the PSNI is putting extra patrols on the streets.