Shocking moment cop cars are hit by exploding petrol bombs during terrifying riots in city
TERRIFYING footage shows the moment exploding petrol bombs were hurled at police cars during another night of riots.
Missiles have continued to rain down on cops in the Sandy Row area of Belfast as violence continues into the night.
Riot cops were deployed to Sandy Row last night close to a supermarket that was set on fire.
Bottles, petrol bombs and planks of wood were then thrown at police vehicles during the unrest.
Officers with riot shields were seen standing firm as they lined up in a show of force despite missiles sailing through the air.
Youths dressed in black were also seen throwing stones at police Land Rovers.
It is understood that around a dozen people are involved in the violence directed towards police vehicles.
Riot cops have since sealed off the street after a number of fires were lit in the area.
A statement from the PSNI has said: “Police are dealing with ongoing disorder in the Donegall Road area of south Belfast tonight.
“The public should avoid the Donegall Road and Sandy Row areas. An update will be provided in due course.”
It follows a weekend of violence in Belfast which saw businesses damaged after an anti-immigration protest on Saturday.
Four men were arrested and appeared in court yesterday.
The Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont is being recalled from its summer break on Thursday to discuss the weekend’s disorder.
Earlier on Monday, councillors at a special Belfast City Council meeting passed a motion to provide financial support to businesses damaged during Saturday’s disorder.
In Plymouth, three cops were injured after far-right supporters and a rival mob pelted each other with stones and lumps of concrete in fresh clashes.
Several protesters also suffered injuries, bins were set on fire and fireworks were hurled as the opposing groups collided in the seaside city.
Over 150 cops were deployed by Devon and Cornwall Police in a bid to get a grip on the situation.
Officers with riot shields stood firm and have been seen shoving back protesters from both sides who provoked them.
One male officer was pulled off the line with an apparent injury while several protesters needed treatment for head wounds.
Birmingham also saw chaotic scenes as a Sky News van was attacked by knife-wielding man.
Meanwhile, hundreds of yobs wearing balaclavas descended on a pub with a man viciously attacked.
On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer hit out at thugs wreaking havoc across Britain, saying violence would not be “tolerated” and the full force of the law will come down on the perpetrators.
The PM said: “There are a number of actions that came out of the meeting.
“The first is we will have a Standing Army of specialist public duty officers so that we will have enough officers to deal with this where we need them.
“The second is we will ramp up criminal justice. There have already been hundreds of arrests, some have appeared in court this morning.
“I have asked for early consideration of the earliest naming and identification of those involved in the process who will feel the full force of the law.”
The PM and top cops put online and in-person thugs on notice, warning the full force of the law will come down on them.
A No10 spokesperson warned social media bosses that they have a responsibility to guarantee criminal activity doesn’t appear or run amok on their platforms.
They said ministers are in close contact with tech chiefs to “ensure they are meeting their obligations” around racist illegal activity.
Downing Street also confirmed there are enough free prison cells to ensure every last rioter is locked up.
