Northern Ireland

Man arrested after Newtownards mosque targeted in weekend petrol bomb attack

The man, aged 42, was arrested on suspicion of attempted arson, possessing a petrol bomb and attempted intimidation

Graffiti had been sprayed on the front door and walls of the Bangladesh Islamic Centre on Greenwell Street in Newtownards
Graffiti had been sprayed on the front door and walls of the Bangladesh Islamic Centre on Greenwell Street in Newtownards

A man in his 40s has been released following arrest on suspicion of a number of offences after a mosque in Newtownards was targeted in a petrol bomb attack and racist graffiti on Saturday morning.

The man, aged 42, was arrested on suspicion of attempted arson, possessing a petrol bomb and attempted intimidation after two properties were searched in the Newtownards area on Sunday.

He was released on Monday evening, to allow for further police enquiries.

The PSNI has appealed for anyone with information or footage of the incident, which is reported to have taken place at the mosque on the Greenwell Street at around 1am on Saturday.

Detectives were investigating the incident as part of a number of weekend incidents related to racist disorder across the north.

More than 30 arrests have now been made due to ongoing disorder sparked in the last week, with 25 people charged with various offences.