RUC struggling to contain Belfast violence

Top level security meetings were held today as the RUC admitted it was getting harder to police the growing sectarian violence…

Top level security meetings were held today as the RUC admitted it was getting harder to police the growing sectarian violence in north Belfast.

RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan met to discuss the situation together with senior army officers.

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It is very, very concerning when we see this escalating
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Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan

The violence has continued virtually without stop since early summer and Mr McQuillan said today it was getting more difficult to contain. He said last night it was the worst the North had seen for 20 years.

"It is very, very concerning when we see this escalating," he said. "We have had a gradual escalation of the use of guns on both sides and obviously that is a great concern for us."

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Gun attacks on police also "makes it more difficult for us to maintain a presence between both communities to actually protect both communities", he said.

Last night republican gunmen fired shots at both police and a Protestant home.

A girl aged two-and-a-half escaped injury when more than 25 shots were fired across the interface at her grandmother's house.

Police also avoided injury when up to eight shots were fired at them.

Soon afterwards blast bombs were thrown over the interface to explode among Catholic homes.

PA