Police will arrest and prosecute those who took part in violent disorder, PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has said.
Asked if politicians could have done more to stop the protests, Mr Boutcher said: “I think the response after the attack that we saw from all the politicians has been really positive.”
Issuing a warning to those participating in the disorder, he added: “Last night there were so many local community leaders, MLAs, on the streets trying their very best to dissuade these young people from doing what they’re doing – who, by the way, we will go and arrest and prosecute, and their lives will be changed forever.
“They won’t be able to do the jobs they want to do, their futures will be damaged in ways that they just don’t understand.”
Asked for his message to parents, he told BBC’s Good Morning Ulster: “Your children, your grandchildren, your nieces, your nephews, people that you care about in this community, young lives – please know where they are today, this evening, tomorrow.
“Make sure that they understand that this is not the way forward.”