Petrol bombs have been thrown at police patrolling the New Lodge area of north Belfast during a third night of anti-social behaviour.

Missiles were thrown at police patrolling the area on Wednesday night and police vehicles have also been damaged during recent incidents, according to the PSNI.

Sinn Féin north Belfast councillor JJ Magee commented that there can be sporadic trouble in the area but it has intensified in the last three weeks as anti-internment bonfires are being built.

For the residents who live here, it was very scary last night. Sinn Féin Cllr JJ Magee

“We had a number of youths here who were making petrol bombs and throwing them at police officers and they were also taking residents bins and setting them on the road and setting fire,” he said.

“For the residents who live here and constantly get in touch with me, their quality of life [is affected], how they have to move their cars from their front door, they have to move their children out to sleep in their grandparents’ houses because they can’t get a good night’s sleep, they become fearful in their own house and it’s not just that night, it’s the consequences of that night after night after night.”

He called on businesses not to provide any of their rubbish to be collected by bonfire builders.

“They need to come and witness what their rubbish is doing to the quality of life of the people of the New Lodge Road.”

Additional police patrols have been deployed from Monday in response to the trouble. Officers are reviewing video footage of the trouble and following definite lines of enquiry to identify those involved.

In a statement, the PSNI condemned the disorder and urged parents to deter young people from getting involved in criminal activity.

WATCH: Mobile phone footage of Wednesday night's trouble in the New Lodge.

Superintendent Melanie Jones said: “It is critical that the people who choose to engage in this dangerous, criminal anti-social behaviour understand that it is unacceptable and it must stop.

“We don’t want anyone injured or worse. We want people to take responsibility. We want residents to feel safe in their own homes.

“I would also ask any local residents who have had their home or property damaged as a result of these incidents to contact police on 101, or alternatively information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous.

“While some of our vehicles have been damaged in these recent incidents, thankfully no members of the public or police officers have been injured.”

This reckless, criminal behaviour poses an unacceptable danger to members of the public, police officers and indeed those who are engaged in this activity. PSNI Superintendent Melanie Jones

Supt Jones continued: “There is a huge responsibility on parents and guardians to prevent young people from becoming involved or caught up in these activities. To keep young people safe and ensure they don’t get involved or harmed by this activity, it is critical that parents and guardians know where their children and young people are, who they are with, what they are doing and what they are arranging on their social media accounts

“We will continue to deploy additional resources in the area and work alongside our partner agencies, local representatives and the community to address the issue.

“I am also appealing to anyone with any information about this criminal anti-social behaviour and disorder to contact police on 101, or alternatively information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”