Homes damaged by petrol bombs during Larne attacks

Police are investigating potential links between the incidents

Two properties have been damaged after petrol bombs were thrown in Larne on Sunday night.

Scorch and smoke damage was caused to a living room on St John's Place and those present were left uninjured.

An upstairs bedroom on Elizabeth Avenue was also damaged during the attack which took place between 23:00 BST and 23:15. No one was home at the time.

In a separate incident in Cedric Street, windows were smashed and graffiti sprayed on the front of a house where a family, including children, were present at the time.

Police have said they are treating this incident as a racially-motivated hate crime

Police have said they are treating this incident as a racially-motivated hate crime.

"There is no place in our society for such behaviour, and it's particularly shocking that this type of attack should be carried out while young children are present," Det Insp Crothers said.

"We are grateful that no-one was injured, though we are very aware that we could potentially have been dealing with much more serious consequences this morning."

Early morning assault

A fourth incident which took place on Hillmount Gardens in the town was also reported to police.

They said at about 04:00 on Monday morning, a resident was assaulted as two men tried to entered his house with what he believed to be a gun.

He was hit in the face by one of the men before they made off, and did not require medical attention.

Police are investigating a potential link between the incidents.