The NI executive has said it is “gravely concerned” by the recent riots and has called for calm to be restored.
Eight officers were injured when petrol bombs, bottles, masonry, and fireworks were thrown. Two motorists had their vehicles hijacked and burnt out.
More than 600 people were present during last night’s disorder.
Two men aged 18 and 28 were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour.
The sustained disorder erupted last night (Wednesday) in the Lanark Way and West Circular Road areas of West Belfast.
Condemning the violent scenes Assistant Chief Constable Jonathan Roberts said officers came under constant attack.
“A bus was hijacked and set on fire. The driver, a key worker in our community, was removed from his bus and violent crowds threw petrol bombs into it, setting it alight. Thankfully the driver escaped without injury. A moving bus on fire surrounded by a large crowd could have led to members of the local community being seriously injured,” he said.
Press photographer Kevin Scott was also assaulted by two masked men. An investigation is underway into the assault and criminal damage to his equipment.
Assistant Chief Constable Jonathan Roberts said many young people were involved.
“Young people were being encouraged to commit criminal acts by adults, who stood by clapping and encouraging the violence. There is absolutely no justification for this. Young people need to quickly realise that by engaging in this type of behaviour they are not only risking their safety, they are also risking their futures,” he said.
And he is asking parents to speak to their children.
“To those community, civic and political leaders please exert whatever influence you have to quell this disturbing, unnecessary and unwanted violence. I want to assure the community that over the coming days, police will be proactively working to identify all of those involved in this disorder, arresting them and where appropriate bringing them before the courts.
“Officers will continue to patrol all areas in Belfast, tackling not only disorder, but all types of criminality including burglaries, thefts, assaults and domestic abuse.
“We will continue to work with the community, political representatives and other partners to ensure we never have to witness public disorder on this scale again,” he added.