Extra Belfast police presence for anti-interment bonfires

There will be an extra police presence in Belfast ahead of anti-interment bonfires on Tuesday night.

PA
Published 8th Aug 2017

It follows violence in the Markets area of the city on Monday night, along with the new lodge and North Queen Street areas.

Petrol bombs and bricks were thrown at police, while three cars were burnt out and five more damaged.

That was sparked by the removal of materials for Tuesday night's bonfires.

PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton confirmed that an increased police presence would be put in place.

"We don't want to antagonise the situation, we don't want to inflame it," he said.

"But we will have sufficient resources available to us to take control of any street disorder, should it occur.

"I don't want to blame other people, as the people involved in this are responsible for their own actions, but parents have a responsibility too in all of this.

"We don't want to criminalise young people, but certainly we'll be gathering evidence.

"There will be arrests and those responsible for this behaviour will be brought to justice."