Detectives are investigating a race hate incident in Lawrence Street in the university area of Belfast early this morning, Wednesday 2 June.

During the incident three men dressed in black with their faces obscured forced their way into a house and threatened the occupants.

Windows at the property were also smashed by the intruders who were reportedly armed with a knife and what appeared to be a firearm.

Ten men were present in the property, one of whom was assaulted and required hospital treatment for facial injuries.

Detectives are treating this incident as a racially motivated hate crime and are appealing for anyone who was in the Lawrence Street area at around 1am this morning to please get in touch by calling 101, quoting reference 103 02/06/21.

Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.