Gangs Attack Belfast Police For Third Night

Police have come under attack in a third night of disturbances in Belfast as they were pelted with fireworks and bricks in the Carlisle Circus area of the city.

Riots around the same location over recent nights have left more than 60 officers injured.

Police used water cannon and baton rounds during serious violence on Sunday and Monday.

The clashes have been sparked by fresh tensions over parades.

Officers have called for politicians to do more to calm the sectarian disturbances, which loyalist paramilitaries have been accused of orchestrating.

And with a major loyalist parade planned for September 29 the Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr expressed fears that lives could be lost if the issue is not resolved.

He said: "Northern Ireland cannot afford an 11th-hour solution."

Stormont leaders have pledged to help tackle the parade tension that surfaced after restrictions were placed on loyalist marchers who had played offensive tunes outside a Catholic church near the scene of the riots.

On Monday night 15 police officers were injured during serious disorder in the area.

Three were taken to hospital during trouble that saw rioters throw 15 petrol bombs at police lines in the Carlisle Circus area.

Officers used water cannon and fired six baton rounds at the crowds as troubled flared last night.

Rioters also hurled stones, bottles, fireworks and rocks and hijacked a van in Denmark Street before pushing it towards police lines.