POLICE IN BELFAST have asked parents to ensure they know the wherabouts of their children after police responded to reports that two rival factions were fighting on the streets of East Belfast.

A petrol bomb was thrown during the incident.

Last night at 9.50pm the police said they received a call about fighting on the street taking place in the Castlereagh Street area of East Belfast. Officers were deployed to the area and youths dispersed upon their arrival.

Petrol bombs

Shortly after 10pm a petrol bomb was thrown from the direction of Mountpottinger Road.

Police attended and recovered the remnants of a petrol bomb for forensic examination and seized two petrol bombs. A further report was received at approximately 11.30pm that youths had gathered at Woodstock Link and missiles were being thrown.

At around 11.30pm, it was reported that the windows of a property on the Albertbridge Road were smashed. Police are appealing for information in relation to these incidents.

Commenting Superintendent McEwan said:

Since 15 April 2014, there have been 48 arrests at interfaces in East Belfast for criminal damage and other public order related offences.

Police are committed to keeping communities safe and will allocate resources as required to do this.

Parents are reminded to ensure that they know the whereabouts of their children as anyone that is caught engaging in disorder or criminal damage is likely to end up with a criminal record.

Read: Iceland lowers aviation risk from volcano to orange alert>

Read: Man stops car to help “injured” man – is attacked and carjacked>