Updated / Thursday, 8 Apr 2021 13:29 A number of PSNI officers have been injured during the disturbances Police in Northern Ireland have said the violence in west Belfast last night was of a scale not seen in recent years. During a briefing this afternoon, Assistant Chief Constable Jonathan Roberts said children as young as 13 and 14 were encouraged by adults, who stood by clapping, to become involved in violent disorder. He asked those people to "stand back and take a good look at themselves" and for anyone with influence to encourage young people to stay in their houses and to protect them. Mr Roberts said police believe there was a level of pre-planning in last night's disorder, given the number of petrol bombs and other objects which were used.