Masked youths apparently angered by the removal of wood from the site of a nationalist bonfire in Belfast have attacked police and torched cars.
The disturbances in the Markets area, close to the city centre, saw officers targeted with petrol bombs, bricks and bottles while a number of cars were totally destroyed.
The incidents have centred in the Stewart Street and Friendly Street areas of the predominantly nationalist neighbourhood.
While a number of cars were burned out, the windows of other were smashed, with paint also thrown over them.
Police Service of Northern Ireland superintendent Andrea McMullan said the "localised" disorder was the fault of a "small group of youths".
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"We are working with local representatives and members of the community to address the situation," she said.
"There has been some stone-throwing, damage to parked cars and a number of petrol bombs have also been thrown.
"Local residents of the Markets do not want this kind of activity on their doorsteps and we would urge those engaged in violence and criminal damage to stop - and go home."
The vandalism unfolded after wood from a bonfire site was removed from the area in a Belfast City Council operation on Monday morning.
Tensions have been raised in some loyalist and nationalist areas in Belfast this summer amid efforts by the council to take action against a number of unregulated fires.
Bonfires will be lit in some nationalist/republican areas later this week to mark the anniversary of the introduction of the controversial state policy of internment without trial.
The streets are adjacent to Belfast Central train station. A number of the cars are understood to belong to commuters.
