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Racist attacks: Homes and cars damaged in east Belfast Racist attacks: Police say hate crimes were 'orchestrated'
(35 minutes later)
Homes and cars have been attacked and racist graffiti has been daubed on walls in east Belfast in a spate of "hate crimes" police said are linked. Police have said they believe eight hate crime attacks in east Belfast were "orchestrated".
Homes and cars were attacked and racist graffiti daubed on gable walls near Chobham Street and at a junction of Elmdale Street and Bately Street.
The windows of two houses in Bloomfield Avenue and Chobham Street were smashed overnight. Paint was also thrown over the second property.The windows of two houses in Bloomfield Avenue and Chobham Street were smashed overnight. Paint was also thrown over the second property.
Two cars were damaged in Rosebery Street and Ravenscroft Street.Two cars were damaged in Rosebery Street and Ravenscroft Street.
Racist graffiti appeared on gable walls near Chobham Street and at a junction of Elmdale Street and Bately Street.
A group of men were seen running off towards the Ravenscroft area shortly after the graffiti appeared.A group of men were seen running off towards the Ravenscroft area shortly after the graffiti appeared.
The vehicle that was attacked in Rosebery Street was covered in paint and all of its windows were broken.The vehicle that was attacked in Rosebery Street was covered in paint and all of its windows were broken.
A police spokesman said all of the attacks took place some time before 22:50 BST on Monday. Police said the attacks took place some time before 22:50 BST on Monday.
He added that officers are "investigating a link between these incidents and are treating each of them as a hate crime". Supt Mark McEwan said they were clearly racially motivated and designed to intimidate and scare people living within those homes.
"We're following a number of lines of investigation, including the submission of items seized for forensic examination from those scenes and that work is ongoing at the moment," he said.
'Support'
He appealed to any members of the community to come forward with any information they might have.
"We're working very closely with our partner agencies, such as Belfast City Council, the Housing Executive, the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities and other community groups to support the victims and the wider community, but to support primarily the victims through the investigative process," he said.
"I believe this is not reflective of the wider area. This is not reflective of east Belfast."
In a tweet, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he "unreservedly" condemned the racist attacks in east Belfast.In a tweet, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he "unreservedly" condemned the racist attacks in east Belfast.
SDLP Leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell condemned the attacks, describing them as "despicable and cowardly". Ulster Unionist MLA Michael Copeland said there was "absolutely no justification" for targeting the homes or property of foreign nationals.
"It is totally unacceptable that anyone should be subject to attack or intimidation because of their race, religion or nationality," he said.
"Those responsible for last night's attacks need to seriously consider the impact it has on the image of east Belfast."
SDLP leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell condemned the attacks, describing them as "despicable and cowardly".
"Already, this year, we have witnessed too many racist attacks; attacks which serve only to create fear and raise tensions in already frightened communities," he said."Already, this year, we have witnessed too many racist attacks; attacks which serve only to create fear and raise tensions in already frightened communities," he said.
"Belfast cannot be allowed to become the racist capital of the north, especially when so many people from here have been welcomed in so many countries around the world." "Belfast cannot be allowed to become the racist capital of the north, especially when so many people from here have been welcomed in so many countries around the world.
"These attacks must not be tolerated. People have the right to live in peace, but no one has the right to instil fear and tension in any community.""These attacks must not be tolerated. People have the right to live in peace, but no one has the right to instil fear and tension in any community."