Dodds seeks police patrols after rioting flares in north Belfast

The North Belfast MP, Mr Nigel Dodds, has asked for 24-hour police patrols in the area following weekend violence

The North Belfast MP, Mr Nigel Dodds, has asked for 24-hour police patrols in the area following weekend violence. He met the Assistant Chief Constable, Mr Alan McQuillan, yesterday to discuss security in his constituency.

It followed another night of rioting in which police and firefighters were attacked in the Whitewell and Shore Road areas, where cars were set on fire and barricades were erected.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that the latest spending on advertisements to attract recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland has been cut in Britain - from £46,730 to £15,600 - and directed almost exclusively at Catholics. Advertisements have been placed in the Universe, the Catholic Times, the Irish Post, Irish World, and Police.

The advertising spend in the North has been cut from £241,840 to £126,575, while in the Republic it has been more than doubled - from £31,964 to £70,175.

READ MORE

Lord Rogan of the UUP said he supported the need to encourage Catholics to join up, but the latest advertising campaign seemed to have been "geared almost exclusively in that direction".

Petrol bombs, stones and blast bombs were thrown at police and firefighters during the trouble in north Belfast. It began on Sunday evening after nationalist youths petrol bombed an elderly Protestant man's home in the mainly loyalist Whitewell Road area. The man was out visiting his son.

A fire crew answering a call on Mill Road was stoned by nationalist youths from Bawnmore Estate. Three firefighters were injured and a fire engine was damaged.

Mr Jim Barbour of the Fire Brigades Union said the attacks were putting the 999 service at risk. Buses carrying disabled young people to the Metropolitan Tabernacle Church on Shore Road were also stoned by nationalist youths.

A woman, whose son was a passenger, said: "I am appalled by the attack. My son has a severe learning disability. I am very angry that he and others should be targeted in this way."

Loyalists petrol bombed homes in the mainly nationalist Serpentine Gardens during the disturbances. Mr Dodds said he was "disgusted" by the violence and stronger security measures had to be introduced.

"One of the main complaints is that police only stay in the area until a certain time and once they leave the trouble starts," he added.

A local Sinn Féin Assembly member, Mr Gerry Kelly, said there was "massive anger in nationalist areas in north Belfast after the murder of Daniel McColgan and the ongoing loyalist pogrom.

"However, there can be no justification for attacks on the homes of Protestant people or on the fire or ambulance services. Sinn Féin stands against sectarian attacks."