Missiles thrown at police investigating race hate incident

investigating a race hate crime in Co Tyrone came under attack from thugs throwing missiles.

A house was targeted in the Woodburn Crescent area of Dungannon.

Two

incidents

took

place around 35 minutes apart — at approximately 11.30pm on Saturday night and 12.05am on Sunday.

A front door window was damaged at the house.

A 17-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. He remained in custody yesterday.

Inspector Mcneill said: “Police are treating this incident as a racially motivated hate crime. Noone has the right to intimidate anyone, people have a right to feel safe within their own homes.

“Whilst officers were attending the scene they came under attack from a group throwing masonry and other missiles. A number of fires were also started by this group.”

Firefighters attended and extinguished the fires.

Inspector Mcneill added: “A number of police vehicles sustained damage, however no one was injured.

“This type of behaviour is totally unacceptable. I would say to those who are responsible for attacking this house and attacking police there will be a full INPOLICE vestigation to identify those responsible. Police would appeal to anyone who has any information that could assist with our enquiries to contact police at Dungannon on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 24 09/08/20, or submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www. psni.police.uk/makeareport/.”