Loyalists blamed for petrol bomb attacks

Police and troops have been attacked on streets

Loyalists have been blamed for disturbances in north Belfast on Thursday night.

The trouble broke out shortly before midnight when crowds attacked a police vehicle with two petrol bombs.

The attack followed police intervention when petrol bombs and stones were thrown during incidents at the Broughan Street/North Queen Street junction.

In a follow-up operation, the police found 100 bottles, catapults and a petrol canister in the North Queen Street area.

Security patrols in north Belfast were stepped up last week following the continuing violence at sectarian interfaces.

Following a meeting between loyalist representatives and the police district commander for the area, it was announced that static police and army patrols would remain in the area for longer.