Police said they are investigating an assault on a young boy after youths reportedly attacked a shop in west Belfast.
Video footage circulating online appeared to show young people throwing objects at the store, believed to be a Middle Eastern market shop, on the Falls Road on Tuesday.
It is understood a number of community activists, political representatives and local residents arrived on the scene and the group dispersed.
Police later confirmed that officers were called to the scene after a large group of young people threw eggs at a shop at around 6.10pm.
“During the incident, a young boy had been assaulted by up to 10 youths,” a PSNI spokeswoman said.
“He sustained a minor facial injury in this assault which is being treated as a hate crime.”
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan said the attack on the shop was “completely unwarranted and disgraceful”.
“Youths attempted to steal items from the shop and when challenged, workers in the store were subsequently attacked,” he said.
“This has been reported to police and they are now investigating.
“If anyone has information on the attack they should bring it to the PSNI.
“Sinn Féin and community activists have spoke with the workers and we will continue to have a presence on the ground and keep in touch with the owner.”
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll also said “everyone I speak to in our community is disgusted by this shocking incident”.
“It is deeply concerning to see young people swept up in such behaviour, especially when we have seen such sickening and widespread attacks on minorities in recent days,” he said.
“I would appeal to all young people and everyone else to desist from these types of attacks, and to stand for diversity, inclusion, and a welcome west Belfast.”
He added: “We must state in no uncertain terms that migrants and all minorities are welcome here and that we will not tolerate such attacks on our neighbours.”
