A racially-motivated attack on a house in south Belfast was described as “deeply disappointing” after days of relative calm in the city.
A window was smashed in the attack late on Wednesday on the house in Lindsay Way off Donegall Pass, described by one local resident as a “very quiet street”.
One resident was in the property when the bricks were thrown just before 10pm. Police described the incident as a “racially- motivated hate crime”.
Police were alerted was flagged down in the area by an individual who reported the attack.
“Luckily, the resident who was inside at the time wasn’t injured but has been left shaken by their ordeal,” the PSNI said.
“This type of act is unacceptable and we are treating this as a racially motivated hate crime.” Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the attack to make contact or provide Crimestoppers with information. Detectives are also looking for any CCTV or other footage.
SDLP Botanic Councillor Gary McKeown, in a statement, said that “after a few days of relative calm in our city it’s deeply disappointing to see another racist attack on a home in south Belfast”.
“Far too many members of our community are terrified after what has happened recently, and the ongoing pattern of intimidation that has been going on for years,” Mr McKeown added.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure. Those behind this attack have no support. We need to see clear and unequivocal condemnation of this attack and others like it, with no qualification or excuses,” he added.
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said “this abhorrent and racist attack will be condemned by the vast majority”.
It was “another stark reminder the threat that far-right thugs pose to migrants and religious and ethnic minorities,” he added.
