TENSIONS between rival loyalists are said to be at "boiling point" in Carrickfergus.
The PSNI has been keeping a visible presence in the Castlemara estate in recent weeks.
Tensions between the South East Antrim UDA and the UVF have been building for some time.
A paramilitary-style assault in the town has been linked to the ongoing tensions and there are fears that it could spill into more serious violence.
In the early hours of Sunday morning a petrol bomb was thrown at a PSNI vehicle patrolling the area by two masked men.
The device struck the car in the Castlemara Drive area of Carrickfergus at around 2.30am and bounced off and ignited on the road.
No damage was caused to the vehicle.
It was the second time in a week that police had come under attack in the estate.
A petrol bomb was also thrown at a PSNI vehicle while officers were attending a road collision in Castlemara Drive the previous Sunday morning.
DUP East Antrim assembly member David Hilditch said the latest attack on police appeared to be linked to tensions in the area.
Police have appealed for information.
