CCTV camera knocked down

A CCTV camera at a sectarian flashpoint in east Belfast has been knocked down less than 24 hours after it was erected.

The police said a crane driver, who was working in the area, was forced to use his equipment to knock down a pole carrying the camera in Pitt Place at about 0930 BST on Friday.

They said he was threatened by two men who claimed they were armed.

The camera had been put up on Thursday following an incident earlier this year.

Police Inspector Mike Ellis said the people involved had no thought for the community.

He said the camera was put up to monitor the area which had been the scene of serious disorder. It was there to "maintain peace and calm and ensure community safety".

The police said it would cost thousands of pounds to replace the camera.