North Belfast: urgent steps taken to help families targeted in racist attacks

A number of families are barricading themselves in their homes in north Belfast after recent racist attacks, it was claimed today (Tuesday)

Sinn Fein MP John Finucane was speaking after a multi-agency meeting to discuss measures to help those affected after a number of houses were attacked in the Lower Oldpark area.

The meeting was attended by politicians, police, the Housing Executive, housing associations, community groups, Belfast City Council and some local residents.

Mr Finucane said: "After racist attacks in the constituency in the past number of days and weeks, which comes on the heels of some very brutal and sustained sectarian attacks and intimidation, I convened a multi-agency meeting this morning which included political representatives as well as the statutory agencies.

"It was important to address the immediate steps that can be taken to address help and assistance to those families that have been attacked, those families that have been intimidated.

"But also it is important to note that those families who are out there seeing what is happening in north Belfast and also feeling particularly vulnerable, we heard from those and about those families in the meeting.

"I am pleased to say there are a number of practical steps which will be taken in the coming hours and days which will provide assistance to some families."

He added: "The fact that we have families that are barricading themselves into their own homes to provide some level of comfort and security is something that should shame and bring focus to all of us."

Alliance Party MLA Nuala McAllister said it had been a constructive meeting.

She said: "It is important to condemn any threats or violence to homes no matter where they are, or what community they are in.

"It is quite clear from what we heard of what has been going on in the community that there is lot of work behind the scenes and the vast majority of people in north Belfast want to live peacefully and together amongst their neighbours.

"Unfortunately there is a small number of people, some of them not within the immediate area, that are making people's lives miserable."

The PSNI said officers are investigating racially motivated criminal damage on three houses in the Manor Street and Summerhill Court areas of north Belfast last week.

Police figures released last week indicated there were 2,049 race incidents and 1,329 race crimes in Northern Ireland in the 12 months to June 30.

These are the highest figures since such data began to be collated and reported by the PSNI in 2004-05.

Meanwhile, in Ballymena The burning of cars in a racially motivated attack in Ballymena has been condemned.

Police are appealing for information after six cars were set on fire on Sunday evening and destroyed.

Local representatives said Filipino nationals were targeted and that tenants were inside properties when the vehicles were attacked outside.

The Co Antrim town witnessed several nights of racist violence earlier in the summer.

The weekend incident occurred in the Lisnevenagh Road area and is the latest in a series of racist crimes across Northern Ireland.

A police spokesperson said: "We received a report at around 10.10pm that six vehicles had been set alight and were destroyed.

"Our inquiries are ongoing and, at this time, we are treating this as arson with a racially-motivated hate element.

"We are appealing to anyone who might have any information which may assist us, to get in touch.

"The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 1473 31/08/25."

Sinn Fein MLA Philip McGuigan described the incident as "absolutely outrageous".

He said: "This is a continuation of the disgraceful, evil and reprehensible racist attacks that fly in the face of the vast majority of the people and communities who are welcoming and embrace diversity.

"This racist attack is to be condemned in the strongest terms by all, we need to all stand together, and show strong leadership.

"Racism has no place in this community and I would appeal to anyone with information about this attack to bring it to the police."

UUP MLA Jon Burrows said: "This was a disgraceful attack on law abiding and hard working people who make a significant contribution to the local economy."

He said he had requested additional police patrols in the area to "reassure the local community and to deter further attacks".