Gangs go on rampage for second night in Belfast

Gangs in several loyalist areas of Belfast have been involved in a second night of violence following Saturday's rerouted Whiterock Parade in the west of the city.

On Sunday evening up to 14 people were arrested, while police fired 16 plastic bullets and army personnel discharged two live rounds, as hundreds of rioters confronted security forces. Some occured when officers were attempting to conduct searches following Saturday's incidents.

In east Belfast, a number of shots, some from automatic weapons, were fired at police in the Newtownards Road area. There were no reports of any injuries.

A short time earlier a number of people had to be evacuated from their homes after a shop and flats were set on fire on the Alberbridge Road. Earlier, on the same road a digger was recovered by police and soldiers after it had been used by rioters to cause extensive damage to property including an ATM and street lighting. A number of vehicles were also hijacked and set alight.

In south Belfast gunfire was heard while at least 12 hijacked vehicles were burnt out in the Donegall Road area. During a sustained attack in the nearby Broadway area soldiers discharged two live rounds and a short time later a man was treated in hospital for a minor gunshot wound to the arm. He has since been arrested for attempted murder. During a follow up operation a number of items were recovered by police for further examination.

In north Belfast, four people were arrested for disorder offences after a burst of automatic gunfire was directed at Tennent Street police station. Although there were no reported injuries during this incident, eight police officers sustained minor injuries across the District.

In west Belfast, New Barnsley police station was attacked by loyalists who threw blast, petrol and paint bombs. Bins and a gas cylinder were also set alight against the perimeter wall and two hijacked vehicles were crashed into the gates.

In Newtownabbey a bank, a video shop, a fast food restaurant and offices occupied by the probation board and the DUP were completely destroyed by fire during serious disorder in the vicinity of Cloughfern Corner on the Doagh Road. Two people were arrested in connection with the disorder.

In nearby Fernagh Avenue a heavily pregnant woman and a man were dragged from their car by four males who made an unsuccessful attempt to hijack the vehicle. A number of other vehicles were also hijacked and destroyed in the Newtownabbey area.

On the Ballyclare Road in Glengormley a porta-cabin and three cars were burnt out after petrol bombs were thrown into a car sales premises while on the Manse Road police recovered a hijacked bus in tact.

Outside Belfast, a bus was hijacked by two males in Bangor who, after stealing personal belongings from the passengers and forcing them to get off, drove it to Green Road in Conlig where it was set on fire blocking the road. A number of petrol bombs were then thrown at police attending the incident.

In Banbridge, an articulated trailer was stolen and used to block a road while in Ballymena one person was arrested following minor disturbances in the Harryville and Ballykeel areas. Most areas were reported relatively quiet from around 2am.

However, this morning a pipe bomb was reported to have been found close to a primary school in the Harryville, Ballymena. The schoolchildren were being evacuated rom the school and parents ahd been requested to collect their children.

(MB/SP)