Belfast police investigating racist vandals raid houses

Police investigating racist attacks against Romanians in the North have raided several houses today.

Up to three properties in south Belfast were searched after more than 100 migrants fled their homes following weekend vandalism.

They were put up for the night in a church hall and have been given emergency accommodation after a spate of incidents involving smashed windows.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) spokeswoman said: "We are conducting an ongoing investigation in Donegall Avenue."

Donegall Avenue is in the loyalist working-class Village area near where the two properties were attacked last weekend.

Around 114 people were left as refugees as the Romanian ambassador visited Belfast for talks with political leaders and police.

On Wednesday night a bathroom window was broken in a house where three generations of Romanians were living.

Political leaders have condemned the violence.

Police conducted two search operations today and one man in his late teens was arrested.

Romanian ambassador Ion Jinga met First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at Stormont yesterday.

He said he was encouraged by the response from members of the public, with food and blankets donated and the perpetrators condemned.

The victims, including a five-day-old girl, have been given temporary accommodation to allow them time to consider their future. Many wanted to be repatriated.