Police fired two Attenuating Energy Projectile (AEP) rounds as they came under attack during a night of disorder in Belfast.

Riot police and a police drone were deployed in the Sandy Row and the Donegall Road area as violence broke out following a weekend of disruption in the area.

More than 200 people were involved, as the PSNI were attacked with petrol bombs, bricks, and bottles by a crowd which included youths wearing masks.

The large crowd also gathered outside the Islamic centre until the early hours of the morning.

Some rioters had also attempted to re-torch a supermarket. However, riot police extinguished the fire with water and fire extinguishers.

Police sources told the Belfast Telegraph that two water cannons lent to the Garda have been sent to Belfast. They were not deployed last night, however they may be in operation from today.

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In a statement, a spokesperson for the PSNI said: “The public should avoid the Donegall Road and Sandy Row areas.

“An update will be provided in due course.”

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Saturday’s anti-immigration protest, which was met by a counter-demonstration at City Hall, moved to the surrounding streets as some of those involved tried to make their way to the Belfast Islamic Centre in the south of the city, with businesses attacked and a café set alight.

Three police officers were injured during the disorder and four members of the public reported that they were assaulted.

Yesterday morning, four men appeared in court over their alleged roles in Saturday’s unrest. All were denied bail.

Yesterday evening, an anti-immigration protest at the Clayton Hotel in Belfast city centre ended with no reports of violence. The protest was set to begin at 5pm with only around 15 protesters arriving shortly before 6pm and they only stayed for around 20 minutes.

More on the weekend’s disorder

“Nothing left just ashes” – Businesses destroyed during night of racist disorder in south Belfast

‘I’m closing forever’: Business owners in Sandy Row leave after anti-immigration protests turn violent