Northern Ireland

Residents flee after overnight attacks in south Belfast

Officers dealt with a number of reports of criminal damage on Thursday night

Damage caused after attacks in Benburb Street.

Officers dealt with a number of reports of criminal damage to property including a car being set on fire and a window of a house being broken in Benburb Street. Windows of a house were also smashed in Kilburn Street, both in south Belfast.
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Damage caused after attacks in Benburb Street. Officers dealt with a number of reports of criminal damage to property including a car being set on fire and a window of a house being broken in Benburb Street. Windows of a house were also smashed in Kilburn Street, both in south Belfast. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAAN

Residents have fled their homes following another night of race-related hate crime, incidents and disorder in Belfast.

The PSNI dealt with several reports of criminal damage to property including a car being set on fire and a window of a house being broken in Benburb Street. Windows of two houses were also smashed in Kilburn Street area in the south of the city.

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The properties lay vacant on Friday morning with a police presence in the area.

Meanwhile, in east Belfast a number of bins were set on fire in Castlereagh Street and police were attacked by a group of masked men who threw bricks and masonry at officers in Flora Street.

No officers sustained any injuries.

Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones appealed to the public to not allow criminals to hide in their communities

“Our officers dealt with a fifth night of incidents such as criminal damage, disorder and arson,” she said.

Damage caused after attacks in the Kilburn Street area.

Officers dealt with a number of reports of criminal damage to property including a car being set on fire and a window of a house being broken in Benburb Street. Windows of a house were also smashed in Kilburn Street, both in south Belfast.
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Damage caused after attacks in the Kilburn Street area. Officers dealt with a number of reports of criminal damage to property including a car being set on fire and a window of a house being broken in Benburb Street. Windows of a house were also smashed in Kilburn Street, both in south Belfast. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN

“Those who are intent on causing disorder or committing offences, need to think of the consequences of their actions.

“Yesterday we issued six images of people we want to speak to in relation to this recent disorder.

“One individual has since been identified and we thank the public for their assistance with this. Please look at these images and let us know if you can identify any of these individuals.



“I am also appealing to the public directly, do not let these criminals hide in your community.

“Anyone with any information which can help identify any of these individuals should contact us. We have set up a Major Incident Public Portal for people to submit information, images and footage. Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash-cam footage, can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal at Public Portal (mipp.police.uk).”