SIX POLICE officers have been injured in a second night of orchestrated rioting in Belfast, the PSNI has said.
Nine police vehicles were damaged as officers came under attack from stones, fireworks, petrol bombs, paint, masonry and, on one occasion, an axe.
Trouble flared in the Broadway area at a major junction between the M1 motorway and the Westlink. About 100 rioters began attacking police, who responded with plastic bullets. The police ombudsman is investigating the firing of the rounds. The trouble eased at about 3am yesterday.
Some gas cylinders were thrown into the road at the Broadway roundabout, and a car was set alight. A fast food outlet was broken into and substantial damage caused. Two cash tills were later recovered.
A senior police officer said it was believed the trouble was pre-planned, but added it was difficult to say by whom. The PSNI has appealed for more information, especially regarding the possibility that the rioters came into the area from elsewhere to target police.
“The violence that we saw last night was orchestrated,” Chief Insp Emma Mooney said.
Police searches in the area before trouble began for a second night uncovered bottles, masonry and other items which could be used in riot situations, she added.
Rioting had flared on Friday night in the same locality when four police vehicles were attacked.
The injured officers suffered head and upper body wounds. None are said to have life-threatening injuries.