text: PSNI Chief Constable appeals for a repeat of last year's trouble-free summer despite outstanding parading issues - Belfast Live
  PSNI Chief Constable appeals for a repeat of last year's trouble-free summer despite outstanding parading issues
  Tensions still exist in North Belfast where a protest has been ongoing since July 2013 following the decision to block a march along the Crumlin Road
  19:34, 30 APR 2015
  Unresolved issues around parading must not spill over into street violence this summer, the Chief Constable has said.
  Last summer was the most peaceful in Northern Ireland in several years, with marchers and residents praised.
  And the region's most senior police officer today urged all those with influence in communities to ensure the coming months are also trouble-free.
  Tensions still exist in North Belfast where a protest has been ongoing since July 2013 following the decision to block a march along the Crumlin Road.
  Fierce rioting took place in the area for several years with republicans attacking police after Orangemen marched along the road. In 2013 several days of trouble erupted with loyalists targeting officers over the Parades Commission decision.
  Efforts to break the impasse have proved fruitless to date.
  Mr Hamilton said: "As we look towards the summer months, it is clear that the issue of parading remains unresolved; we see this daily through protests on our streets.
  "Last year we saw responsible leadership and influence across communities resulting in the most peaceful marching season for a number of years.
  "I am grateful for that, and I know the majority of people across Northern Ireland were grateful for that.
  "I will certainly be encouraging people to show the same leadership again this summer. Violence solves no purpose and will not bring a resolution to anything.
  "Respect for the rule of law and respect for the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our community are what I want for this summer. Anyone who chooses to break the law must understand that there will be criminal justice consequences."
  The traditional curtain-raiser of the marching season passed off with no disturbances earlier this month.
  The Apprentice Boys of Derry staged parades through the north and centre of Belfast.
  There was a small demonstration at the side of the Crumlin Road facing the shop fronts as bands passed.
  Nationalist residents also held a protest on Clifton Street as marchers progressed towards the city centre.
  Mr Hamilton was appointed chief just days before last year's Twelfth and presided over a trouble-free summer.
  In contrast, the previous year had been marred by some of the worst street disorder seen in Northern Ireland in recent years.
  Earlier this year, Secretary of State Theresa Villiers said she would start fresh meetings to try to find a way forward on the North Belfast parading dispute.
  She called for the business community, civic society and political leaders to work on the issue.
  Ms Villiers said: "All of us with an interest in building a peaceful, stable, inclusive and prosperous Northern Ireland have a responsibility to do what we can to help resolve the north Belfast question."
  In October, she announced plans for a panel of experts to examine the issue but in December the initiative was scrapped after it was deemed to have little support from those involved.
  The DUP's Nigel Dodds criticised the decision. He added: "I hope that the Secretary of State will listen to the people most directly affected including lodges, bands and local communities so that the real feelings on the ground will be reflected."