PSNI defends withdrawal from Ardoyne after racially-motivated attack on north Belfast home

Police defended their response after a house on Jamaica Street was attacked by men with hammers and paint. A local councillor said residents felt "abandoned".

PSNI under pressure after Ardoyne house attack and hit-and-run on same night

A house on Jamaica Street in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast was attacked at around 22:20 BST on Wednesday, when three men armed with hammers smashed windows and threw white paint at the property, according to bbc.co.uk. The house was empty at the time.

Police are treating the incident as a racially-motivated hate crime. A piece of masonry was recovered at the scene with what appears to be a shotgun cartridge attached by clingfilm, which has been seized for forensic examination.

PSNI North Belfast District Commander Superintendent Allister Hagan said in a statement on Friday that officers attended the scene and engaged with local residents and community representatives, before an operational decision was taken not to retain officers at the vacant property while repairs to secure the premises were awaited.

"As with all reports of this nature, this incident is being taken extremely seriously," Hagan said.

Shortly before midnight, police received a separate report of a hit-and-run collision involving a motorbike and a car on Alliance Avenue. The motorbike rider left the scene. Police said they have made a number of attempts to contact the driver of the car, including on the night of the incident, but have so far been unable to speak with him. Enquiries to identify the motorbike rider are continuing.

Reports of masked men had also been received in the wider area around the same time.

The two incidents were among 82 calls for service received by the PSNI between 17:00 BST on Wednesday and 03:00 BST on Thursday, a period police described as a busy one for policing in north Belfast.

Councillor accuses PSNI of leaving residents to "fend for themselves"

Local independent councillor Paul McCusker criticised the PSNI, saying officers left the area shortly after arriving. He said families and children were left feeling frightened, and that residents who contacted police for clarification were reportedly told officers had been instructed to withdraw because of a potential risk to police.

"While I understand the importance of officer safety, local people also deserve protection, reassurance and support during serious incidents," McCusker said. "The use of drones alone is not enough to provide confidence to residents who are fearful for their safety."

He added that the PSNI now need to explain their decision to "pull out" of the area.

Hagan pushed back against the characterisation, stating that a police-operated drone monitored the area throughout the night while local officers remained available to respond to higher-priority calls across north Belfast.

"I want to be clear that there are no 'no-go' areas for police, and the community in north Belfast have not — and never will be — left unsupported," Hagan said.

"Police deploy resources based on threat, risk and harm — both to the community we serve, and our own officers. Had an emergency call been received from the area, officers would have responded accordingly."

Hagan confirmed that residents in Ardoyne will see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days, and that investigations into both incidents are continuing.

Councillor disputes racial motivation; points to criminal elements

McCusker said he does not believe the attack on the house was racially motivated, noting that residents had been welcoming to those living there. A family from Sudan had been residing at the property, though McCusker said concerns had recently been raised that it was being used as a house of multiple occupancy.

"The family who lived there for many months felt part of the community," McCusker said.

He said he believes criminal elements were behind the attack, describing it as an isolated incident.

"Ardoyne has lots of foreign national families who live there and call Ardoyne their home... I think this is an isolated incident," he said.

The PSNI acknowledged the concern such incidents cause within the local community, reiterating that its priority is to respond based on an assessment of threat, risk and harm.

Hagan is appealing for anyone who witnessed either of the incidents, saw suspicious activity in the area, or who has CCTV, doorbell, mobile phone or dash-cam footage to contact police.

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)