Graffiti daubed on a number of walls in Newtownabbey targeting migrants and threatening to “burn them out” is being investigated as a racially-motivated hate crime.
The sinister messages appeared on shopfronts and on walls around the Rathcoole estate in Newtownabbey and other parts of NI.
The PSNI said it is aware of offensive graffiti being painted in the Dublin Road and Market Square area of Antrim and the O’Neill Road and King’s Crescent area of Newtownabbey in addition to multiple locations in the Rathcoole estate.
“We are investigating each of these reports as racially-motivated hate crimes,” a spokesperson said.
“We will do everything we can as a Police Service to ensure that everyone, no matter what their background, feels safe in their community.
“Targeting anyone because of who they are is wrong, and must be called out.
“Anyone who may have any information on any of these incidents can contact officers on 101, or report online at psni.police/uk/report.
“Our Neighbourhood Policing Team officers will continue to engage with local community representatives and partner agencies around any complaints regarding graffiti.”
The grafitti in Rathcoole threatening migrantsAlan Lewis – Photopress
Among the messages are threats directed against landlords and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive as well as “immigrants”.
Some of the messages aimed at immigrants feature gunsights and threats to “burn them out”.
Some of the graffiti Photo: Alan Lewis – Photopress
A Housing Executive spokesperson said: “We work proactively to promote inclusivity and diversity in our homes and estates and that is why it is particularly disappointing to encounter graffiti of this nature.
“For this reason, we contacted the PSNI as soon as we became aware of the graffiti and understand an investigation is underway.”
It comes after several days of tension and violence across Northern Ireland after a far-right protest in Belfast city centre on Saturday.
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Last night saw riot police deployed again in the Sandy Row and Donegall Road area when further trouble broke out.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour, while in a separate incident a man in his 50s was taken to hospital after he was “seriously assaulted” in the Donegall Road and Oban Street area.
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