The newly renamed Police Service of Northern Ireland have for the first time been able to scale down the security operation protecting Catholic schoolchildren going to Holy Cross primary school in north Belfast.

The officers on duty removed their full riot gear for the first time after an agreement was struck with Loyalist protesters. Intensive discussions between the Protestant Glenbryn residents and senior police chiefs at the weekend has resulted in a scaling down of security in return for a reduction of tension in the 11-week protest.

Although the details of the deal are unknown, on Monday morning the protesters stood away from the police vehicles as children and parents walked the 400 yards along the Ardoyne Road to the North Belfast Primary School on Monday after the half term break. There were no noisy horns or claxons to greet the parents as they returned from the school.

However, nationalists were angry that they had not been consulted about the new arrangements and expressed concern about the reduction in security levels.

Mr Stuart McCartney, spokesman for the loyalist group, the Concerned Residents of Upper Ardoyne, welcomed recognition by the police that the protest was legitimate: “We have endeavoured all through the week to try and remove the children from the equation. We are working with the police now to ensure that.”

The police are due to make a statement later on Monday. (AMcE)