PSNI chief constable Matt Baggot has confirmed the role of senior loyalist paramilitary leaders in orchestrating the violence that has enveloped parts of Northern Ireland since the beginning of the union flag debate.

At a press conference today, he said: "I am concerned that senior members of the UVF in east Belfast as individuals have been increasingly orchestrating some of this violence.

"That is utterly unacceptable and is being done for their own selfish motives. There is no excuse whatsoever for violence, as we've said, and we will be investigating that and taking the appropriate action."

The chief constable said children as young as 11 were involved in rioting.

Mr Baggot also revealed the riots and violence were affecting the PSNI’s ability to deal with day-to-day violence, including the risk posed by dissident republicans.

Officers have faced a fourth consecutive night of loyalist violence, during which they faced bombardment by bricks, stones and golf balls.

Violence has been a regular occurrence in some parts of east Belfast since the nationalist majority at Belfast City Council voted to restrict the flying of the union flag on the top of City Hall.

Rather than all year round, it will now only be flown on designated days, the first of which will be 9 January; the birthday of the Duchess of Cambridge.

96 people have been arrested since the vote, including many young people.

Mr Baggott said young children were out on the streets "without parental control" and were at risk of "blighting their own future".

A protest was held near the nationalist Short Strand area of the city on Sunday night.

The protest ended in violence on Castlereagh Street.

A 38-year-old man was arrested on Saturday, charged with possession of a gun, riotous behaviour and refusing to remove a disguise.

A 52-year-old man is charged with disorderly behaviour.

Both are due at Belfast Magistrate’s Court today.

(IT/GK)