Renewed Appeal For Information On Fire At Multi-Cultural Centre

The PSNI have renewed an appeal for information on two suspicious fires at Belfast Multi-Cultural Association building in south Belfast, alongside details of a reward from the charity Crimestoppers.

Crimestoppers, who are independent of the police, has offered a reward of up to £5,000 for information they exclusively receive that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for two separate arson attacks over 15 months which caused extensive damage to the Donegall Pass building.

A fire was deliberately set at the building on 14th January 2021 causing significant damage. Then on 8th April 2022, a second suspicious fire caused extensive damage.

Detective Sergeant Danielle Magee said: "These were fires which caused devastating damage to this building which is important to the wider community. We are treating both fires as hate crimes and I am making a direct appeal to the public in order to help with this investigation and our ongoing enquiries into both these fires.

"There is no place for hate in Northern Ireland. We are a diverse society and need to welcome members of ethnic communities here and they need to feel safe.

"Our investigation is progressing but we need the assistance of those living in the wider area or anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious in this area on 14 January 2021 or 8th April 2022 to report this to us or alternatively tell Crimestoppers anonymously. If fresh evidence comes to light, it will be thoroughly investigated.

"The independent charity Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information it receives that leads to the prosecution of those responsible. To stay anonymous, contact Crimestoppers directly on freephone 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. There is no caller line display, no 1471 facility and computer IP addresses are never traced.

"A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or by calling us on 101."