Two youths arrested in Belfast after violence at anti-protocol rally

The PSNI said that it was "extremely fortunate" there were no injuries during the disorder.

Two boys, aged 10 and 15 years old, have been arrested following a rally against the Northern Ireland Protocol in Belfast on Wednesday evening. Police were targeted with missiles and fireworks close to the peaceline. The two youths were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour, and have since been released on bail. Police inquiries into the disorder continues. The rally occurred on Lanark Way in the Shankill Road area, and on the Springfield Road side of the peace wall. According to a PSNI spokesperson, both sides of the nationalist and loyalist communities were involved in the rioting. https://twitter.com/PSNIBelfastW/status/1456045531269042179 In a statement, Police West Belfast said: "Police were in attendance at public disorder at Springfield Road and Lanark Way areas of West Belfast on Wednesday, 3 November. "Officers were deployed to Springfield Road and Lanark Way areas from approximately 5pm on Wednesday. Following a small protest in the Lanark Way area which obstructed the road for a period of time, disorder broke out involving both sides of the community and continued for several hours with items being burnt on the roads and missiles thrown at police officers and police vehicles. "It was extremely fortunate that there were no reports of injuries to members of the public and police officers, however, a number of police vehicles were damaged by masonry attacks. "Calm was restored to the area by around 10.30pm. "Two males aged 10 and 15 were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and have since been released on bail, as police enquiries continue." The PSNI's Chief Inspector Darren Fox condemned the scenes, and said that such disorder puts members of the public and the police in "real danger". He said: "The totally unacceptable behaviour by those intent on trouble caused significant inconvenience to the local community and only served to heighten community tensions across the areas."