Chris Lyttle MLA said: “I would call on all those involved with this violence to consider the serious harm caused by their actions and stop immediately. This orchestrated rioting is unjustifiable and unrepresentative of the wishes of people in this area.
“I recognise there are fundamental social and economic challenges in this area that we must work to address but this destructive behaviour serves only to make that task all the more difficult.”
Judith Cochrane MLA said: “It is completely wrong that local people, business owners and members of a free press should be living in fear and terror for their lives at the hands of a minority.
“I would urge all political representatives to work together with the community and emergency services in order to resolve this dangerous situation. It must stop before lives are lost.
“If anybody has any information about this trouble then they should contact the police.”
ENDS