Political representatives have angrily denounced the serious rioting which broke out in east Belfast in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Up to 11 shots were fired at police by rioters, who also hurled bricks, stones, some 20 petrol bombs, acid bombs and other missiles at an interface between the republican Short Strand and the loyalist lower Newtownards Road.
Short Strand is the only significant republican enclave in the east of the city.
Three police officers were injured and one was treated in hospital for facial injuries.
A PSNI Land Rover was burnt during the disturbances and plastic bullets fired.
The two communities in the area blamed each other for the trouble, which lasted for over two hours.
The Northern Secretary denounced the rioters as "thugs".
Dr John Reid said their actions ran counter to the wishes of the vast majority, who simply wanted peace and stability.
The Enterprise Minister and East Belfast Assembly member Sir Reg Empey criticised a delay in erecting security fences in the area.
He said: "Successive security ministers have dragged their feet on this and . we have now got them to agree to put them up.
"They should have been up some weeks ago and I would urge the minister [Ms Jane Kennedy] to ensure that the work starts tomorrow to get these erected this coming week."
Dr Reid said: "These thugs have nothing better to do than attack those who are protecting lives and property on behalf of us all.
"When will they realise that in attacking police officers they are attacking the future of society and frustrating the will of the vast majority of law-abiding people?"
There has been little recent trouble east of the River Lagan, with the bulk of street disturbances in the past 12 months in the north of the city.
Security partitions could now be erected swiftly as the marching season approaches.
Sinn Féin in Short Strand accused the UVF of planning the violence.
Councillor Joe O'Donnell said: "This attack, involving over 100 men, was clearly well orchestrated and designed to raise tensions in the area in the run-up to the marching season.
"There are clearly those within the UVF intent on carrying on their sectarian campaign against nationalists."
Elsewhere, police found two handguns in a disused factory on the Doagh Road in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, yesterday. No arrests were made.