Serious riots call into question policing strategy

East Belfast was the scene of serious rioting again last night which resulted in 13 police officers being injured during clashes with up to 300 rioters.

Security forces in the Clandeboye Gardens area came under sustained attack from rioters between 10pm and 3am this morning. Mobs threw a variety of missiles at police officers, including acid bombs, pipe bombs, bricks and fireworks. Police fired six baton rounds in response.

A young girl, resident in Cluan Place, was taken to hospital suffering from head injuries and breathing difficulties following a severe asthma attack when a pipe bomb exploded in the area.

The deteriorating situation in the Short Strand and the Lower Newtownards Road has led to questions being raised over the policing strategy by community representatives, including the MP for the area, Peter Robinson.

Mr Robinson called for an increased security presence in the nationalist Short Strand enclave.

The UUP's councillor for the area, Sir Reg Empey, backed that call, and requested a meeting with Security Minister Jane Kennedy over the high level of sectarian violence in the area.

Sir Reg added: "The only way it can be controlled is an equal and balanced security policy. What we have got at present is not balanced.

"There is only an intermittent security presence on the nationalist side. If the nationalists say they are being attacked then surely they would welcome it [a permanent police presence.]"

Earlier today, Sinn Fein chairman Mitchel McLaughlin called on Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan to "initiate an investigation into Short Strand policing".

Mr McLaughlin then called for political parties to create a "united front against sectarianism" to tackle interface violence.

He also proposed that independent monitors be sent in to patrol flashpoints and detail the sequence of events.

Leading unionist, and former Ireland rugby player, Trevor Ringland, accused Sinn Fein of "not telling the truth" over the involvement of republicans in the civil unrest and "creating conflict situations" for political expediency.

Mr McLaughlin, rejected this, saying that loyalist groups opposed to the Agreement were fuelling the violence.

Elsewhere, two shots were fired at a house in the Ballyduff area of Newtownabbey yesterday evening. The attack took place at 8.25pm and police said there were no injuries.

In Carrickfergus, two mobile classrooms and a number of computers at a Catholic school were damaged in a petrol bomb attack last night.

Police believe that up to three people entered the grounds of Lourdes Primary School just before midnight and petrol bombed the classrooms. The Fire Brigade sent two fire appliances and brought the blaze under control.

(GMcG)