Stones thrown at man in racially-motivated attack

Belfast saw a heavy police presence at the weekend following disorder throughout the week

Stones were thrown at a man in parkland in Belfast in an incident which police are treating as a racially-motivated hate crime.

It is the latest in a series of racially-motivated incidents since the start of August.

Police said the man was walking in the parkland off Manse Road in Castlereagh on Sunday evening when he was approached by six young people, who shouted abuse and intimidated him.

As the man walked away, the young people threw stones at him.

The incident happened near Lagan College.

More than 35 people have been arrested and more than 28 charged in connection with recent disorder in a week of violence and protests across Northern Ireland.

Police said 20 officers had been injured including one officer who suffered severe facial injuries and another officer who suffered a broken leg.

Ulster Unionist Party assembly member for East Antrim, John Stewart, condemned two attacks in Carrickfergus, which police are also treating as racially-motivated hate crimes.

On Thursday at about 23:00 BST windows and a car were damaged at a house in the Woodburn area.

On 3 August stones were thrown at a house in Ellis Street, breaking two windows.

Mr Stewart met with senior Police Service of Northern Ireland officers following the two incidents.

Speaking after the meeting, he said the attacks were "utterly despicable" and have no place in a a civilised society.

He said he was confident that every resource was being utilised to identify those who carried out the attacks.

“Carrickfergus is actually represented by the many hundreds of people and organisations who have come together to provide support and reassurance to the families involved," Mr Stewart said.