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Paramilitary groups have not “sanctioned” the violence engulfing Belfast, the Daily Express has been told. The leaders are effectively turning a blind eye to their foot-soldiers joining the disorder which has seen police pelted with bricks, petrol bombs and bins.

The violence would be much more coordinated if it had been arranged by Northern Ireland’s feared paramilitaries, the Daily Express has been told. Some protesters have torched homes or cars, and gone door to door looking for members of ethnic minorities.

And local officials have told the Daily Express the paramilitary groups effectively decide whether the demonstrations turn violent or not.

However, a source with direct knowledge said: “The top level haven’t sanctioned it.

“They can go on the protests.

“But if they are arrested, they won’t be looked after.

“If it had been sanctioned, there would be much more trouble. It wouldn’t just be a couple of kids.”

Men jailed during the Troubles are understood to have taken part in the disorder.

Twelve police officers were injured, and 16 arrests were made following Wednesday night’s unrest.

Police used water cannons as officers were pelted with bricks and petrol bombs by balaclava-clad rioters in Co Antrim.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson told reporters the justice system “stands ready to give long sentences to those bringing disorder to our streets”.

Footage showed dozens of men dressed all in black and wearing face coverings gathering on Antrim Road, where they could be seen tearing bricks from properties and smashing paving stones with sledgehammers to create projectiles to throw at police.

They also broke into a derelict home and stole a classic Volkswagen vehicle before pushing it onto the street and setting it on fire.

The Daily Express witnessed the devastating aftermath of the clashes in Co Antrim.

Slabs of concrete laid strewn across the road, while sections of the road had burnt away, leaving an acrid smell in the air.

Firefighters swept in after police forced the protesters back far enough to force them to dispel.

Pensioner Derek Waters, who has lived on the street for 30 years, told the Daily Express: “It was a normal protest, but it turned violent, it turned nasty.

“They were rioting down the roundabout, but the police came up to try and prevent them reaching the motorway. They destroyed people’s properties.

“Then the house opposite got set alight. They broke into it and took the old vehicle from out the back and brought up onto the road. We saw smoke rising from the building. They ignited that as well.

“That belongs to the man next door. He’s 91-years-old. It’s a good job there was no-one living in it.

“They bought up more stuff to burn.

“We stayed out here because they were taking people’s rubbish bins.

“They just get creeping up on and using the water.

“There was quite a fire there [in the road].”

Lorna Waters added: “We were scared they’d take our car as well.

“We were really scared as they quite slow to move them back and we were worried about our house.

“It was getting very scary.

“We don’t mind the protesting but not the violence, it’s not on.”

Mr Henderson also condemned intimidation of healthcare workers in Belfast during the recent riots.

He told reporters: “I want to turn next to the disgraceful threats and intimidation directed to our nurses, doctors, carers and healthcare staff, men and women who work every day to save lives and care for our sick relatives, they are the backbone of our public service.

“They are caring for our families, our friends and our loved ones. We are here to support them in the same way they support us.

“Tonight, we will be increasing our patrols of key areas. I have been talking to colleagues within health trusts and others to hear their concerns about their staff welfare.”

The senior officer said police will be “back on the ground” in the city with “bolstered” numbers on Thursday evening.

He told reporters officers from Great Britain have been drafted in to help prevent disorder.

The family of Mr Ogilvie said they were “disgusted” by the disorder.