Police attacked with petrol bombs

Police and community representatives worked together to restore calm

Petrol bombs and stones were thrown at police during trouble in east and south Belfast on Monday night.

Roads in the Markets area of the city were closed after trouble broke out at Cromac Street and Pitt Park and in the Lower Newtownards Road.

Police said a small number of petrol bombs were thrown at their officers in the disturbances.

Sinn Fein assembly member Alex Maskey said the violence was "unacceptable and very, very regrettable".

He condemned those responsible for what he called a "wanton disregard for the good name of their area, never mind the safety of people passing."

A police spokesman said police liaised with community representatives to restore calm to the affected areas.

There were no reports of any injuries or arrests.

Mr Maskey added: "It is very disappointing that we had a number of young people gathered last night who started to thrown stones and other missiles at passing vehicles - some of which contained families and young children.

He said it flew in the face of the efforts of people in the nationalist areas to work with young people and provide activities for them.