Clean-up begins in south Belfast after night of disorder

A clean-up operation has begun after a supermarket and cafe in south Belfast were badly damaged by fire in overnight attacks.

Several cars were also burned as police tried to deal with disorder in the Donegall Road area.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said on Saturday it was investigating hate crimes and had made two arrests after criminal damage was caused during the disorder.

It came after anti-immigration and anti-racism protesters clashed in tense scenes outside city hall.

A cafe on Botanic Avenue was attacked by a mob of anti-immigration protesters on Saturday afternoon as they headed towards the Holylands area of ​​south Belfast.

Protesters threw missiles at members of the media.

Windows were broken and furniture was smashed at the cafe on Botanic Avenue.

On Saturday, police said they were aware of a number of reports of criminal damage and were treating them as hate crimes.

On Friday, church leaders in Northern Ireland said they were “horrified” by calls for “anti-Islam” protests this weekend.

Several social media posts were shared calling for people to gather and block roads in the greater Belfast area and elsewhere.

Police said they were aware of the social media posts and were planning a “proportionate police response”.