North Belfast security stepped up

Limestone Road - scene of recent disturbances

The police are stepping up patrols in the Limestone Road area of north Belfast following a stabbing which has further raised tensions.

The increased police presence is being put into place partly as a result of appeals from local community and political representatives.

North Belfast commander Superintendent Roger Maxwell said the level of policing in the Limestone Road and throughout north Belfast was constantly under review.

He added: "There is a static presence of police and army for a substantial part of each day,"

We would call upon elected representatives and other people of influence in the area to sit down and thrash out these particularly difficult issues

Superintendent Roger Maxwell

But Mr Maxwell said the politicians and community leaders in north Belfast must work together to stamp out sectarian clashes.

"The problems of the Limestone Road are community issues and we would call upon elected representatives and other people of influence in the area to sit down and thrash out these particularly difficult issues," he said.

Tensions between the Catholic and Protestant communities in north Belfast have been high for more than six months.

There has been sporadic rioting in interface areas at the Limestone and Whitewell Roads between nationalists and loyalists since the summer.

Hundreds of police officers and soldiers have been injured during the clashes.

Man attacked by gang

In the latest incident, a 43-year-old Catholic father of five is in a stable condition in hospital after being stabbed outside his house at Newington Street near the Limestone Road early on Wednesday morning.

He was attacked after he confronted several men, believed to be loyalists, who were damaging a car outside his house.

He was also beaten about the head and body and was left with cuts to his shoulder and hand.

The attackers ran off after a neighbour arrived at the scene.

It was a well-orchestrated attempted murder once again by the UDA

Sinn Fein councillor Gerard Brophy

Neighbours said the gang had been trying to break into a house when they were confronted.

One neighbour, who did not want to be identified, said: "People are justifiably angry at what's going on but they're terrified.

"As far as anyone can see, these people aren't going to be happy until we're carrying bodies out of this area."

Sinn Fein councillor Gerard Brophy said he believed the largest loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Defence Association, carried out the attack.

He said: "It was a well-orchestrated attempted murder once again by the UDA."

However, a loyalist community worker, Eddie McClean, said he did not believe the incident had been sectarian.

He said he believed car thieves were responsible.

Police investigating the stabbing have appealed for any witnesses to contact them.