A terrified family targeted in a racist hate crime in Co Londonderry has been persuaded by neighbours not to leave their home.
Married father-of-two Shinu Matthew said they considered fleeing Ballykelly after sinister graffiti was painted on their house.
Two other properties in the Fort Drive and Forest Drive areas were also vandalised at some time between 3am and 4am on Tuesday.
Mr Mathew told BBC News NI he could not sleep the night after the incident which police have confirmed is being investigated as a hate crime.
He expressed concerns about the safety of his wife and children who are aged seven and four.
“When I hear a car pass at night I am always going to the window to check,” Mr Matthew said as he praised the response of the community.
“My neighbours came, brushed it, cleaned it, washed it, they then told us if we need anything or if something happens again then to call them and they will come.
“We were planning to move, but the neighbours said they give support to us, and after that we wanted to stay.”
Mr Mathew said the PSNI has promised to increase the number of officers in the area and thanked his neighbours for their support.
One local resident described what happened as “totally outrageous” as they expressed disgust.
“They are a lovely family and the weans all play together,” they added.
“There was about 20 of us out with thinners and bleach trying to clean it [the graffiti] all up for them.”
An elderly woman and another couple were also targeted.
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Local councillor Dermot Nicholl said one the houses targeted was a local family in what is believed to have been “a case of mistaken identity”.
“These attacks are clearly linked as they all happened the same area,” he told this newspaper.
“Some of those targeted have been living here for a very long time and are fully integrated into the community where they are admired and respected as healthcare workers and hospitality providers.
“What happened was totally uncalled for and unwarranted.”
The Sinn Fein representative expressed concerns about the motivation for the attack and expressed fears that they may have been inspired by content on social media.
“Everybody is shocked and angered about this,” he continued.
“It’s a quiet residential area where people from different cultures and backgrounds have been living peacefully alongside one another for years.
“Residents are very annoyed and have been very supportive.”
Mr Nicholl said all the victims will be staying in their homes.
“Obviously they are all concerned and thought about leaving, but the community has told them ‘no, we want you to stay’,” he said.
“And so they have decided to do just that.”
PSNI Inspector Roxborough previously said: “We are treating these reports as not only criminal damage, but as hate crimes which are totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our local community.
“Hate crime has no place in our society whatsoever and we will be proactive in our approach to identify those involved.”
Anyone with information has been asked to contact detectives on 101.