Police are appealing for information following a report of criminal damage at residential premises at the Vernon Street area of south Belfast on Monday 9th September.
Neighbourhood Inspector Róisín Brown said: “Shortly after 11:30pm, it was reported that two windows of a property in the area were smashed by two pieces of masonry. A woman in her 40s and two young children, who were in the property at the time, were not injured but left badly shaken.
“This was an unprovoked, violent attack on a young family who have been left afraid to be in their own home. They are fortunate not to have sustained physical injury during the incident. Violence is unacceptable in any community, and I appeal very strongly for anyone who witnessed this incident to speak with us to help us identify those responsible.
“Enquiries are continuing and at this time, the incident is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime.
“Police would appeal to anyone with any information to contact them on 101, quoting reference number 1788 09/09/24. Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ . You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/ .”