Houses targeted in racial attacks

Police are investigating two racially motivated attacks which occurred in Co Antrim at the weekend.

Two houses in Tobar Park, Cullybackey, were targeted early on Saturday morning, it emerged today.

In the first incident windows were broken at the home of a South African woman and her four-year-old son shortly after 1am.

A few hours later the window of an Indian woman's unoccupied home was discovered broken.

No one was injured in either attack, which police have described as "cowardly".

The attacks came as police investigating race hate crime in south Belfast appealed for people in the area to exercise vigilance over the coming days amid fears of further attacks.

There have been 89 racist incidents in the area so far this year, resulting in members of ethnic minorities leaving their homes.

A statement by the police said it was "in everyone’s interests that people remain alert to the dangers of a possible attack".

“Police will be deploying additional patrols in the area and maximising a range of resources to ensure public safety," the statement said.

"But one of the most effective ways of preventing damage or injury is for everyone, from whatever community, to keep an eye out for their neighbours.

"There is no need for people to panic or be alarmed but vigilance over the coming days may reduce the level of risk to individuals and property.”

Anyone with information about race hate crime or who notices suspicious activity should contact police immediately on 028 9065 0222 and ask for their local station.

(MB)