Arrests made after city violence

Up to 100 masked youths were on the street

Five more people have been arrested following attacks on police officers in a loyalist area of north Belfast.

Two others are due in court charged with public order offences linked to disturbances in the Woodvale area.

Petrol bombs, bricks, bottles and other missiles were hurled at police in riot gear. Water cannon were then deployed. No one was injured.

The clashes followed trouble earlier in the day when police were attacked as they carried out searches in the area.

On Monday afternoon, bricks and bottles were thrown at fire crews and several vehicles set on fire.

The trouble began as police moved in to carry out searches linked to a UVF "show of strength" on Saturday.

Four people were arrested over "serious terrorist activity" at the weekend. Another person arrested on Monday has been released without charge.

Seven vehicles have been hijacked, some of which have been burned out, people have lost their livelihoods Superintendent Gary White PSNI

One resident did not defend the violence but accused the police of using "bully boy tactics" during the searches.

Superintendent Gary White said nothing could justify the attacks which followed.

"Even if police officers were heavy-handed, and I'm not for one second accepting that they were, but even if they were, does that justify three or four hours of rioting, petrol bombing and paint bombing?" he said.

"Seven vehicles have been hijacked, some of which have been burned out, people have lost their livelihoods. I just think it seems to be a convenient excuse."

'Elderly frightened'

North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds, DUP, said the violence in the Shankill area was "unacceptable" and had frightened many elderly and frail people.

"I would urge people not to become involved in street violence since it is leaving in its wake a trail of destruction, putting local people in fear and setting back the regeneration of the area," he said.

Sinn Fein assembly member Gerry Kelly called on unionist leaders to use their influence to end the violence.

"The failure to engage in the dialogue required to get the political process back on track is a failure of leadership. The public message seems to be that there is an acceptable level of loyalist violence, particularly if it is only nationalists and working class Protestant communities that are suffering," he said.