PSNI officer injured during rioting in east Belfast

Petrol bombs, stones, bottles and fireworks were thrown after crowds of youths gather

A file image of a PSNI officer inside a police vehicle as petrol bombs are thrown in Belfast. Photograph: Getty
A file image of a PSNI officer inside a police vehicle as petrol bombs are thrown in Belfast. Photograph: Getty

A police officer was injured after trouble flared close to a Belfast interface for a second night.

Petrol bombs, stones, bottles and fireworks were thrown after crowds of youths gathered at Castlereagh Street, Woodstock Link, Albertbridge Road and Templemore Avenue in the east of the city from about 7pm yesterday.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief inspector David Moore said: "We need to get away from disorder becoming a nightly event.

“People in this area, no matter what community they come from, do not want it.”

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A teenage boy was also taken to hospital for treatment to a head injury, but police said it was not known how he was hurt.

Stones, bottles and other missiles were thrown in both directions across security fences at the interface, causing some damage to homes, and a vehicle in Bryson Street was hit with a paint bomb.

One man was arrested for disorder offences.

The PSNI said officers were working with community representatives to resolve the difficulties.

PA