Parents urged to keep children out of trouble after police attacked

Police have urged parents to make sure their children avoid getting involved in disorder "which could lead to someone getting seriously hurt".

Officers were attacked in west Belfast on Monday night when responding to reports that large crowds and vehicles had gathered and were driving dangerously in the Blacks Road, Bell Steele Road and Dairy Farm areas.

Several people with their faces covered threw masonry and other projectiles at police.

Politicians condemned the disorder, which they described as disgraceful.

Police said two officers were injured, but remained on duty.

Five police vehicles were damaged and will be off the road until they can be repaired.

Firefighters were also attacked when they tried to respond to a fire that had started and had to withdraw from the area.

Sinn Féin assembly member Danny Baker said he was "angry and sad", adding that: "I had asked for preventive measures from the PSNI that simply didn't come."

In a statement, the PSNI's Ch Insp Kelly Gibson said: "We acknowledge local concern around this incident and will continue to engage with representatives and residents in order to help prevent further instances of this behaviour.

"Those who choose to get involved in this type of disorder are causing destruction within their own community."

Baker also said it "was the lowest point" in his time as a political representative in Colin.

"Although I knew what was going to happen, I couldn't prevent it. I had to look on as my community was being destroyed."

On Monday night, the police said "an evidence-gathering operation was in place and an investigation is now under way to identify those involved in disorder".

Baker and his party colleague, Belfast West MP Paul Maskey, met police on Tuseday to discuss the events of the previous evening.

Afterwards, Baker said he had "reflected the deep frustration and anger felt across the Colin community after the chaotic and disgraceful scenes witnessed last night".

He said the situation had been avoidable.

"The PSNI acknowledged that lessons must be learned and has committed to implementing preventative measures to ensure such scenes are not repeated," he said.

Independent Belfast city councillor Paul Doherty said the scenes were "disgraceful" and "really disheartening to see".

He told Good Morning Ulster that this was a "difficult job" for police but he thought they "fell short".

"I believe that the police should have acted quicker, sooner and more effectively, as a result of seeing this coming; this was all over social media yesterday."

He also called on the executive to act, saying: "Police need greater powers to tackle these sort of incidents."