UUP MLA Michael McGimpseyin south ‘Belfast condemns those behind race hate attack in south Belfast

SOUTH Belfast politicians have united to condemn those behind a race hate attack on a Nigerian family in south Belfast.

Ulster Unionist MLA Michael McGimpsey blasted those behind the hatchet attack as “reckless”.

And Alliance MLA Anna Lo said those involved the race hate attack had left her feeling “disgusted”.

A 40-year-old woman was at home in Felt Street in the Sandy Row district with her two children when the attackers struck around 2 am.

She was lying on the sofa when a hatchet was hurled through her living room window of the home she has been living for the past 12 months.

Fortunately, neither the woman nor her children were injured. However, she has been left traumatised by the attack.

Detectives in south Belfast area treating the incident as a race hate attack.

Investigating officers have appealed for anyone with information about the attack to contact them on 0845 600 8000.

In a statement, local UUP MLA Michael McGimpsey said: “I strongly condemn the actions of those who thought it was acceptable to attack a house in Sandy Row.

“The majority of people in Sandy Row are disgusted by this attack within their community.

“This is a residential area that consists of a vast variety of individuals, young families and community pensioners. No one should be subjected to such a horrific act of intimidation.”

The former Health Minister added: “The actions of those involved in the attack were nothing short of reckless and could have caused serious injury.

“These individual have no place within our modern society and I would urge anyone with information to contact the PSNI as soon as possible.”

Anna Lo MLA said she was “disgusted” at race hate attack on south Belfast home of Nigerian family

Alliance Party MLA Ann Lo also condemned the attack.

She said: “I am sickened and disgusted by this racist attack.

“There is no place in our society for this type of crime.

“I would like to extend my support to this woman and her two young children. This attack does not represent the views of the majority of people in Northern Ireland who have been very welcoming to people from all backgrounds.

“Those responsible for this callous crime must be urgently apprehended by the police.

“I would urge anybody with any information about this attack to contact the PSNI or Crimestoppers.”

Last month, a Nigerian man was at the centre of a race hate attack in east Belfast.

Racist graffiti of ‘NO BLACKS’ was scrawled on the front and rear of the house at Wayland Street off the Castlereagh Road in an overnight attack.

The victim of the attack had only moved into the house a few days earlier.