The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is investigating a report of intimidation in a park near Manse Road, Castlereagh, in Belfast, that occurred yesterday evening, Sunday, August 11.
The PSNI said on Monday that a man was walking in the park at around 7:15 pm 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. Thankfully, the man was not injured.
"This is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime and enquiries are ongoing," the PSNI said on Monday.
Anyone who witnessed this incident is asked to contact Police on 101 and quote reference 1409 11/08/24.
“Thankfully, there were no other reports of any serious incidents across Northern Ireland on Sunday," PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said on Monday.
Meanwhile, the PSNI also said that a 42-year-old man was arrested on Sunday after what they said was a "racially motivated hate crime" on a mosque on Greenwell Street in Newtownards, Co Down in the early hours of Saturday, August 10.
The man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offenses, including attempted arson, possessing a petrol bomb, and attempted intimidation.
PSNI said that at approximately 1 am on Saturday, officers came across graffiti sprayed on the front door and walls of the building on Greenwell Street.
A petrol bomb had been thrown at the property but did not ignite.
The Belfast Telegraph shared CCTV footage of the incident:
Watch: CCTV shows the moment that a mosque was petrol bombed last night in Newtownards. @WbeeCampbell the mosque was previously targeted by ‘KKK’
The founder says his community is “very scared” @BelTel
Full Story:https://t.co/6vD6TsiyFf pic.twitter.com/IFCS9qYt7o
— Kevin Scott (@Kscott_94) August 10, 2024
ACC Jones further said on Monday that 35 people have been arrested and 28 of them have been charged to court in connection with the recent disorder in Belfast.
Much of the disorder, which erupted on Saturday, August 3, has been racially motivated.
According to the PA, Jason Galbraith, 26, of no fixed abode, was charged on Monday with ten offenses on the first day of serious disorder in south Belfast on Saturday, August 3.
At Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court, two Bangor men - John Edward Robinson, 30, of Rathgill Park, and Corey McNabb, 28, of Balmoral Avenue - were refused bail on Monday after being charged with online offenses between August 3 and 4.
Glen Kane, 58, of Riga Street in Belfast, was granted bail on Monday after appearing at Belfast Magistrates’ Court charged with possessing written material intended or likely to stir up hatred or arouse fear.
ACC Jones further said on Monday: “On Sunday, we released another five images of individuals whom we would like to speak to in connection with our ongoing investigation into disorder and attacks on Police officers since Saturday 3rd August. You can view the images here.
“20 officers have been injured since the disorder began, including one female officer sustaining severe facial injuries and another male officer with a broken leg.
"Assaults on our officers for doing their job is not acceptable.”
ACC Jones appealed to the public for information: “The various reports and incidents since last Saturday have been a disgrace and I am appealing to the public directly, do not let these criminals hide in your community.
"Anyone with any information should contact Police. We have set up a Major Incident Public Portal for people to submit information, images, and footage. Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone, or dash cam footage, can be shared with police here.
“Our Public Order Enquiry Team will continue to review footage to attempt to identify those involved, as well as those organizing and orchestrating this disorder.
"As with any investigative process, the Police Service will follow the evidence and present it to the Public Prosecution Service.”
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