Tension between loyalists in the Garnerville Road area of east Belfast has eased and the situation is "calm", according to the PSNI.
Twelve families were forced to evacuate the area last night after members of the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force and Ulster Defence Association took over the estate and forced the families, who they alleged were involved in drug dealing, to leave.
But a PSNI spokeswoman today said the force needed evidence to act against criminals in the area and that it was "important that the public co-operate".
She said that "evidence-gathering teams" are now on the ground, extra resources are being deployed, and PSNI representatives are liaising with community representatives in order to ease tensions.
The estate is under CCTV surveillance and a police helicopter has been deployed.
According to the PSNI, only four or five men loitered in the area last night and the force continues to maintain a presence in the area.
Some residents in the Glenlea area claimed that the paramilitary organisations were acting at their request following the failure of the PSNI to act against criminal activities taking place in the area.
This claim was backed up by East Belfast Democratic Unionist MP Peter Robinson who said that when the police fail to act, situations arise "where communities start looking to paramilitaries to take the action".