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Flag protests: Petrol bomb and missiles thrown at police Flag protests: 12 petrol bombs thrown at police
(35 minutes later)
A petrol bomb has been thrown at the police during a union flag protest in Newtownabbey the police have said. Up to 12 petrol bombs have been thrown at the police during disorder following a union flag protest in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, the police have said.
It follows a number of protests across Northern Ireland on Friday. Most were peaceful, but PSNI officers were attacked at Cloughfern in Newtownabbey. It follows a number of protests across Northern Ireland on Friday. Most were peaceful, but PSNI officers were attacked at Cloughfern.
A suspicious object was thrown at police, which is being examined by an Army bomb disposal team. Bottles and fireworks were thrown as well. Crowds threw petrol bombs, stones and fireworks at officers. Another 19 petrol bombs were found by police.
Police have also found 19 petrol bombs in the area. They have been taken away for forensic examination.
More than 100 PSNI officers have been injured during loyalist protests since protests began on 3 December, following a council vote to limit the number of days the flag is flown at Belfast City Hall. A suspicious object was thrown at a police vehicle. It was examined by Army bomb disposal experts who said that it was a hoax.
In a statement the PSNI said there had been no reports of arrests or injuries.
Loyalist street demonstrations have been taking place since Belfast City Council voted to limit the number of days the union flag is flown at Belfast City Hall.
The majority of the street demonstrations have passed without incident, but some have resulted in serious rioting.
Since the vote was passed on 3 December, 127 police officers have been injured and 174 people have been arrested.