Police are treating attacks on properties by a crowd in Co Armagh as hate crimes after a report was made that a child was suspiciously approached in a play park.
The incidents, which also saw a PSNI vehicle’s window smashed, occurred in the Mourneview estate area of Lurgan on Thursday evening.
Three of the four properties targeted were not linked to the alleged incident at the play park, police have said.
A PSNI spokesperson said they received a report around 4.40pm of a suspicious approach at a play park in the estate.
Officers attended and arrested a man in the Ben Crom area on suspicion of assault and he remains in custody at this time.
During the arrest a small crowd of people had gathered outside the house.
A police vehicle was attacked by the crowd with its window smashed by stones.
Police said they assisted the remaining occupants in leaving the property, which was then attacked and had its windows smashed.
A short time later the PSNI received reports that crowds of people had smashed the windows of three separate properties in the area.
Superintendent Brendan Green, the PSNI’s Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon District Commander, said the occupants of these properties targeted were not connected to any of the previous incidents.
“While investigations into these incidents of criminal damage are ongoing, they are currently being treated as hate crimes,” he continued.
“This sort of violence is a disgrace and will not be tolerated. Each incident will be robustly investigated and we will do everything in our power to bring people to justice for these hateful crimes.
“I want to assure the community that police have stepped up patrols in the area and will continue to work with local representatives and the community going forward.
“We will ensure that any victim who comes forward is fully supported.”
Superintendent Green also condemned those who attacked the PSNI vehicle and said it was “unacceptable that those working to keep their community safe should be targeted in this way”.
“Thankfully none of the officers were injured, however a police vehicle is now off the road as a result of the damage caused,” he said.
“I need to be very clear, if you engage in anti-social behaviour that progresses into criminal behaviour, disorder or hate crimes we will investigate every avenue available to us to identify you, and you will be arrested.
“These behaviours are not wanted in the community and we will not shy away from taking robust actions to brings those offenders to justice.
“We are working to establish the circumstances surrounding all these incidents and we would appeal to anyone with any information to contact us on 101.”