Children escape injury in Belfast house attack

Two young Catholic children escaped injury after a house came under attack by youths in north Belfast early today.

The children aged eight and six were at home with a babysitter in the mainly loyalist Westland Gardens area when a number of windows were smashed.

It is believed a street sign was used in the attack, just after midnight.

The owner of the house said it was the second time the house had been attacked and claimed that police stood by while it took place.

She believes the attack was sectarian.

The woman also claimed that officers refused to come in afterwards and check the damage.

A police spokesperson confirmed they were called to an incident of criminal damage at around 12.30am in which two youths smashed windows.

“When police arrived they were met by a hostile, abusive crowd.

“We would appeal to anyone with influence in the community to co-operate with local police so that such incidents can be investigated properly and the culprits brought to justice.”

The spokesperson added: “Anyone who has complaints to make about police behaviour should go to the Ombudsman’s office. A sectarian motive is one of the lines of investigation being investigated.”