Third night of trouble in west Belfast
Officers were attacked for the third night in a row on Sunday during a weekend of riots in the Broadway area of west Belfast, which police say was “orchestrated”.
Large bricks and bottles were thrown at police by a crowd of around 100 youths just after 11pm at the nationalist end of the Donegall Road.
However, the trouble lasted less than 30 minutes.
On Saturday night, six police officers were injured during the rioting which broke out in the Broadway and Bog Meadows areas at around 8.30pm.
Petrol bombs, stones and fireworks were thrown at police by rival loyalist and nationalist gangs.
One man is believed to have attacked a police vehicle with an axe.
A number of gas cylinders were also thrown into the road and a car was set alight during the disturbances.
Area commander for west Belfast, Chief Inspector Emma Mooney said: “The violence we saw last night was orchestrated and what we did see as a result of a search was a stash of heavy masonry, heavy iron bars and other items which we firmly believe would have been used against our officers.
“There certainly was a clear intent to seriously harm officers and members of the public who may have come in the area last night.”
At the height of Saturday’s disorder up to 100 people were believed to have been involved, police said.
The injured officers sustained head and body injuries.
One was hit on the head with an iron bar.
During the trouble police fired a number of baton rounds.
The Police Ombudsman is investigating and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
A spokesman for the Office said:”We are looking to get a clear understanding of what happened, and are interested in speaking to people who may have witnessed the disturbances in the area between 8pm on Saturday evening and 4am on Sunday morning.”
Police believe a number of the rioters may have come from outside the local area and detectives are appealing for information.
On Friday night, four police vehicles were damaged during previous rioting in the area.
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