Sinn Féin today accused loyalist paramilitaries of "ethnic cleansing" after a number of Catholic homes were badly damaged in North Belfast overnight.
Councillor Gerard Brophy blamed the Ulster Defence Association for the attacks on houses in Skegoniel Avenue. "Most of the people at the bottom end of this road have moved out. This is ethnic cleansing of this area by loyalists. The dogs in the street know the UDA is responsible," he said.
Last week, the Loyalist Commission, a group made up of paramilitaries, politicians, community and church leaders, called for a "period of calm" in flashpoint areas. It followed an earlier statement promising "no first strike" by loyalists.
"People are very angry that this has not been honoured," said Mr Brophy. "I call on unionist politicians to come out, condemn this and get it stopped."
Police were called last night when a number of houses were attacked in Skegoniel Avenue but the main damage was caused early this morning.
Mr Brophy claimed that when the police entered the area around 11.30pm, they told residents that they did not have enough manpower to maintain a permanent presence.
"At 5.30am seven or eight houses were completely wrecked with stones. This was well organised, it wasn't kids.
"The same thing happened a number of weeks ago when petrol bombs were thrown, the police said they didn't have the manpower. We are lucky we didn't have any fatalities," he added.
A police spokeswoman confirmed they were investigating a number of incidents where houses and cars were damaged.
Last week, the new Chief Constable Hugh Orde said that police resources were badly stretched because of falling numbers. He said he would be retaining the full-time reserve for the foreseeable future.
PA