Boy, 12, arrested in race hate crime investigation
The PSNI said the age of the suspects was concerning
- Published
A 12-year-old boy has been arrested by police investigating a number of racially-motivated hate crimes in south Belfast.
The district police commander, Supt Finola Dornan, said a group of young people had repeatedly targeted a business on the Donegall Road.
She said this included a "series of incidents of criminal damage, theft and aggressive behaviour towards staff and customers".
The boy was detained on Wednesday night on suspicion of five counts of criminal damage and one of theft and was bailed ahead of police interview on Thursday.
"The age of those involved in these crimes will be of concern to all of us," Supt Dornan said.
"I would like to be clear that the arrest of a young person only ever takes place after careful consideration and, in this case, when it is absolutely necessary, and there is a legitimate and lawful purpose to do so."
She added that police were making inquiries to identify the other young people involved in the offences.
"Hate crime has no place in our society and we will be proactive in our approach to ensure justice prevails," she said.