There is a depressing inevitability about the way in which extreme elements on both sides of the sectarian divide blatantly attempt to increase tension as loyalist marching season reaches a climax.
Our editorial yesterday expressed concern about the provocative attacks by nationalist youths on Clifton Street Orange Hall in north Belfast, where the largest July 12 parade assembles annually.
As we report today, in other parts of the city, loyalists have ignored police warnings over the erection of flags in a mixed area, and, even more alarmingly, directed sinister graffiti threats against Catholic residents.
The appearance of a range of flags along the upper Ormeau Road caused upset last year, and the PSNI released a public statement at the time making clear that any repetition would be treated as a breach of the peace.
As the same emblems have predictably been put back in place over recent days, it is up to the police to ensure that the policy which was outlined 12 months ago is fairly and consistently enforced.
There can be even less room for equivocation over slogans which have been painted on walls along the Woodstock and Ravenhill Roads demanding that Catholics from the nearby Short Strand stay out of the area.
These are busy shopping districts which must be open to the entire community, and it is essential that those responsible for the graffiti are identified and swiftly brought before the courts.
It needs to be stressed that no section of society has a monopoly on sectarian attitudes, and unacceptable behaviour has to be condemned whenever and wherever it occurs
The vast majority of ordinary citizens in Belfast and elsewhere across Northern Ireland want to leave together in an atmosphere of peace and mutual respect.
When other individuals deliberately set out to poison relationships and intimidate their neighbours, a firm response from the authorities is urgently required.
