An east European man has been injured in a racial attack at his Belfast home. The 51-year- old was treated in hospital for an arm injury after a gang burst into his home yesterday and set about him with a hammer.
The PSNI says it will not tolerate such race attacks and has appealed for the public to speak out against those responsible.
The attack came as the PSNI launched a new policy on race and hate crimes to coincide with International Day Against Racism.
A police spokeswoman said a gang of up to seven men armed with baseball bats smashed their way through the front door of the man's home in the Donegall Road area. Once inside, they smashed windows and attacked the occupant with a hammer.
The gang, who were all masked, were also believed to have been responsible for smashing windows in two houses in neighbouring streets.
Supt Ken Eccles said: "We will not tolerate crimes of this nature, but we need the help and support of the local community. They must come forward and demonstrate that they will not allow this to happen."
Hate crime has been identified by chief constable Sir Hugh Orde as one of the biggest challenges facing his force.
The new PSNI policy document identifies minimum standards for investigation of race-hate crime, as well as guidelines on supervision and support for victims. It ensures that a case will be reviewed by a senior officer if no one has been cautioned within 28 days of the offence being reported.
Latest figures show there were 763 racial incidents in Northern Ireland between April last year and January, up 73 on the previous year. - (PA)