Six petrol bombs were recovered during today’s disorder in the New Lodge area of north Belfast.
A 13-year-old youth has been arrested on suspicion of riotous and disorderly behaviour after police moved in to the area to assist contractors with the removal of the anti-internment bonfire, but had to withdraw due to safety issues.
Earlier youths threw missiles at police vehicles and three officers were injured.
The Housing Executive is asking all residents to leave Oisin and Fianna tower blocks in the New Lodge due to the proximity of the bonfire. The Housing Executive says their safety cannot be guaranteed.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd, Commander of the New Lodge Policing Operation said police will be reviewing CCTV footage to identify those who have been involved in the disorder.
“As a Police Service we have been clear in our position that we will always seek to support partner agencies and landowners to ensure they can conduct their lawful business.
“At 5am this morning (Thursday 8 August), we began a significant, dynamic policing operation in the New Lodge area of North Belfast to support contractors who had been tasked to remove a bonfire from the road,” he said.
He said during the operation a large crowd gathered and police officers were attacked, resulting in three police officers being injured.
“Having met with partner agencies and the contractor this afternoon, we reviewed the ongoing situation. With a large number of women, children and young people in the area, we decided to that we can no longer sustain a policing operation due to the significant risk to public safety and in particular, to innocent bystanders.
“It is our assessment that the majority of local residents do not want this bonfire. I apologise for the inconvenience today’s operation has caused and for not being able to deliver our objective of supporting the removal of the bonfire. I hope that the local community understands my primary concern today was public safety,” he added in a statement.