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Belfast flags trouble: Matt Baggott in warning to rioters Belfast flags trouble: Matt Baggott in warning to rioters
(35 minutes later)
Northern Ireland's chief constable Matt Baggott has warned that police will "deal firmly" with outbreaks of violence linked to union flag protests.Northern Ireland's chief constable Matt Baggott has warned that police will "deal firmly" with outbreaks of violence linked to union flag protests.
On Saturday, police came under attack in east Belfast for the third night running.On Saturday, police came under attack in east Belfast for the third night running.
Since protests began over the decision to fly the union flag at Belfast City Hall only on designated days, 52 police officers have been injured.Since protests began over the decision to fly the union flag at Belfast City Hall only on designated days, 52 police officers have been injured.
Police said they fired plastic bullets three times during Saturday's violence.Police said they fired plastic bullets three times during Saturday's violence.
Water cannon was also used as officers came under attack from over 100 people, throwing petrol bombs, stones and fireworks. One officer was injured.Water cannon was also used as officers came under attack from over 100 people, throwing petrol bombs, stones and fireworks. One officer was injured.
Two of eight people arrested in east Belfast have been charged with riotous behaviour. Seven of eight people arrested in east Belfast have been charged with riotous behaviour. They are appearing at a special sitting of Belfast Magistrates Court on Sunday.
"I want to commend the tireless courage of my officers at this very difficult time," Chief Constable Matt Baggott said."I want to commend the tireless courage of my officers at this very difficult time," Chief Constable Matt Baggott said.
"You may be assured there will be sufficient resources in the event of more disorder for however long is necessary."You may be assured there will be sufficient resources in the event of more disorder for however long is necessary.
"The police service will continue to do everything possible to maintain law and order and we will deal firmly with outbreaks of violence.""The police service will continue to do everything possible to maintain law and order and we will deal firmly with outbreaks of violence."
Church and political leaders met in east Belfast on Sunday afternoon to try to bring an end to the violence.Church and political leaders met in east Belfast on Sunday afternoon to try to bring an end to the violence.
However, Robin Newton, of the Democratic Unionist Party, said a lack of engagement from protest organisers was making it difficult to see an end to the unrest.
"We have to find a way out of this, but how we do it I don't know," he said.
Police Supt Paula Hillman said officers were being subjected to "sustained, serious, violence".Police Supt Paula Hillman said officers were being subjected to "sustained, serious, violence".
"They are being attacked with petrol bombs, masonry, and bricks," she said."They are being attacked with petrol bombs, masonry, and bricks," she said.
"Lasers are also being used against police officers and those in the police helicopter."Lasers are also being used against police officers and those in the police helicopter.
"We're sending out a very clear message to people - we respect people's rights to peaceful protest but if you are going to engage in violence, we will robustly apprehend those either by arresting them at the time or as a result of subsequent follow-up investigations and bring those people before the courts.""We're sending out a very clear message to people - we respect people's rights to peaceful protest but if you are going to engage in violence, we will robustly apprehend those either by arresting them at the time or as a result of subsequent follow-up investigations and bring those people before the courts."
On Saturday afternoon, a 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after shots were reportedly fired at police.On Saturday afternoon, a 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after shots were reportedly fired at police.
During the day, a protest took place in the city centre over Belfast council's decision to only fly the union flag on designated days.During the day, a protest took place in the city centre over Belfast council's decision to only fly the union flag on designated days.
Up to 1,000 loyalists demonstrated outside Belfast City Hall.Up to 1,000 loyalists demonstrated outside Belfast City Hall.
Police said they later dealt with public disorder in a number of locations including Templemore Avenue and the Albertbridge Road.Police said they later dealt with public disorder in a number of locations including Templemore Avenue and the Albertbridge Road.
Bricks, bottles, fireworks and smoke canisters were thrown by the rioters on the Lower Newtownards Road.Bricks, bottles, fireworks and smoke canisters were thrown by the rioters on the Lower Newtownards Road.
The officer who was injured did not require hospital treatment.The officer who was injured did not require hospital treatment.
The chairman of the Police Federation, Terry Spence, said he had no doubt that paramilitaries had been involved in the violence.The chairman of the Police Federation, Terry Spence, said he had no doubt that paramilitaries had been involved in the violence.
He said: "This is a very sinister development and quite clearly the police came under fire this afternoon from a gunman.He said: "This is a very sinister development and quite clearly the police came under fire this afternoon from a gunman.
"What it clearly does demonstrate is that there has been paramilitary involvement in these attacks on police and it has been orchestrated, in the case of east Belfast, by the UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force).""What it clearly does demonstrate is that there has been paramilitary involvement in these attacks on police and it has been orchestrated, in the case of east Belfast, by the UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force)."
However, Democratic Unionist assembly member Robin Newton said it was too early to say whether the violence had been organised. Some loyalists claimed Saturday's trouble was sparked when they were attacked by republicans from the Short Strand area.
"I'm going to wait until the police actually indicate that from their intelligence, they haven't indicated that these riots have been orchestrated by the UVF," he said.
"We do need to be concerned about the number of injuries on the police officers - this is just not a good situation for the east of the city."
Three other men were arrested during earlier trouble which happened close to the nationalist Short Strand area.
Some loyalists claimed it was sparked when they were attacked by republicans.
Third nightThird night
It was the third consecutive night that police have been attacked in Belfast.It was the third consecutive night that police have been attacked in Belfast.
Nineteen officers have been injured since Thursday and 27 people arrested.Nineteen officers have been injured since Thursday and 27 people arrested.
Thirteen people appeared at a special sitting of Belfast Magistrates Court on Saturday night charged in connection with the recent rioting in east Belfast.Thirteen people appeared at a special sitting of Belfast Magistrates Court on Saturday night charged in connection with the recent rioting in east Belfast.
Eleven men and one woman were remanded in custody. One woman was released on bail to attend a hospital appointment.Eleven men and one woman were remanded in custody. One woman was released on bail to attend a hospital appointment.
The special two-hour sitting was before Judge George Connor. Another special sitting has been taking place on Sunday. The special two-hour sitting was before Judge George Connor.
A campaign of street demonstrations has been ongoing since Belfast City Council took a vote on 3 December which limited the number of days the union flag is flown at Belfast City Hall.A campaign of street demonstrations has been ongoing since Belfast City Council took a vote on 3 December which limited the number of days the union flag is flown at Belfast City Hall.
Since then 70 people have been arrested, 45 of whom have been charged with public order offences.Since then 70 people have been arrested, 45 of whom have been charged with public order offences.