Serious rioting broke out tonight between nationalist and loyalist groups in east Belfast. The PSNI said rival factions comprising around 50 in each group attacked on each other in the Short Strand area at Bryson Street and Pitt Park.
The current Lord Mayor of Belfast, Jim Rodgers. said there had been shooting by both sides and there were also unconfirmed reports of blast bombs exploding. Police and troops have moved into the area in a bid to separate the factions.
There were conflicting claims as to how the trouble started - the latest in a series of clashes in the area - but it is understood to have broken out while loyalist bunting was being erected beside a Catholic church.
Mr Rodgers appealed for calm saying he understood feelings were running high in the area. He said: ``I have absolutely no doubt there are those that are hell bent in causing trouble and taking problems that we have seen in north Belfast and parts of south Belfast into the east of the city yet again. "Shots have been fired from both sides, missiles , bottles, bricks have been thrown," he said.
Police said one officer was injured when their lines came under attack during the rioting. His injuries were not believed to be life threatening, said a spokesman.
The security forces came under attack with missiles and blast bombs also thrown, they said.
Police were later investigating unconfirmed reports of shots being fired. One vehicle was seized and set on fire by troublemakers before police managed to quell the violence and report an uneasy calm in the area.