Police are appealing for information after several assaults were reported in south Belfast in the early hours of Sunday 9 August.

Shortly after midnight, officers received a report that a man had been assaulted by an unknown male in the McClure Street area. The victim was approached and punched in the face.

At around 12.10am, a second report from the Gasworks area described a man shouting abuse and throwing items at passers-by. He then approached a couple, threatened the woman and verbally abused the man. A further incident was reported at approximately 12.25am, also near the Gasworks, where three women were confronted by a man shouting sectarian abuse. Two of the women were assaulted and left badly shaken.

Police are exploring a possible link between the three reports, which are being treated as sectarian hate incidents. Anyone who witnessed any of the incidents, or who may have CCTV or other footage, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 3/08/26.

Information can also be provided via the non-emergency online reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. You can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.