Children injured in racially motivated attack in North

'Thankfully no one was injured as a result of this criminal damage, however this family was also left understandably shocked and upset by what happened.' Stock picture

Two children suffered minor injuries in a racist attack on a property in Co Down.

Police said they were treating two incidents of criminal damage in Holywood on Sunday as racially motivated.

At about 11.05pm, the PSNI received a report that stones had been thrown through the front window of a house in the Church Green area of the town.

A spokesperson said: “Two children who were inside the living room area at the time, along with other family members, were struck by the debris and left with grazes to their face and shoulder, causing minor injury.

“This appalling incident left a young family inside terrified and distressed.” 

A short time later, police received a second report that a property had also been damaged in the Church Road area.

Two windows were smashed, and paint damage was caused to the exterior of the house, Two windows of a vehicle parked at the property were also broken and a quantity of cash stolen.

The PSNI spokesperson said: “Thankfully no one was injured as a result of this criminal damage, however this family was also left understandably shocked and upset by what happened.

“We are treating both of these reports as racially motivated hate crimes, with our inquiries continuing into what happened, and who was involved.

“This type of crime is utterly unacceptable and has no place in our society.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe in their home, regardless of their race or background.

“We would urge anyone with information or footage that could help us to do the right thing and come forward with information."

North Down Alliance Party MLA Andrew Muir said he was “shocked and disgusted by these hateful and racist attacks”.

He said: “To see children in particular injured in this way is repugnant, and I urge anyone with any information to contact the PSNI without delay.

“Holywood is a shared and inclusive place, and this kind of violence and intimidation does not reflect the views of the vast majority of people in the town who are absolutely appalled to see this occur.” 

Alliance councillor Martin McRandal said: “It is disgusting to see a family subjected to racially motivated criminal activity in our community and I want to be clear that those involved do not represent the open and welcoming Holywood that I know and love.

“It is important that there are consequences for the perpetrators and I would urge people to come forward and assist the PSNI with their investigations in any way they can.”