POLICE are treating a house stoning incident in north Belfast last night as a hate crime incident.

Officers are are appealing for witnesses following the criminal damage incident on York Road in north Belfast on Thursday, November 2.

At around 10.20pm police received a report that a number of youths had thrown a brick at the front window of a house in the area.

Damage was caused to the outer pane of glass as a result.

A woman and her young child who were in the house at the time were not injured.

Inspector Fairfield said: “Police are treating this incident as a hate crime and are appealing to anyone who was in the York Road area last night and who witnessed the incident or anyone with any information that can assist with the investigation to contact officers in Tennent Street on 101 quoting reference number 1493 02/11/17.

“Information can also be passed anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Hate crime, in all its forms, is totally unacceptable.

“It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to ensure that we live in a society where diversity is respected.

“If you or someone you know is the victim of a hate crime please contact police or your local support agency.”