Romanian family attacked in Belfast

The home of another Romanian family came under attack last night in Belfast, police said.

The home of another Romanian family came under attack last night in Belfast, police said.

A PSNI spokesman said nobody was injured in the incident, which happened in the east of the city at around 11pm.

"There was an incident last night of criminal damage to a property which is being investigated as a hate crime," he said.

It is the third attack on a Romanian home in less than a week. Over the weekend two homes in the south of the city were targeted and windows smashed.

Romania's consul general is to hold high-level meetings in Northern Ireland today after more than 100 Romanians were left homeless this week. Dr Mihai Delcea intervened when 20 families fled from their homes to emergency accommodation in Belfast because of the racist attacks.

A church hall and leisure centre were used to provide temporary refuge while donated food and blankets poured in from members of the community.

Dr Delcea will meet Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie at the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont.

Police have said they do not believe paramilitaries were involved in orchestrating the attacks, which led to around 20 families leaving their homes. The attacks were condemned by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and local politicians.

It is understood accommodation in the south Belfast area is being made available for one week.

Police Supt Chris Noble said: "The information we have at this point in time is that it was a sporadic attack by a number of youths with no affiliation or co-ordination.

"What I can guarantee is a commitment from the police service in terms of visible, responsible policing."

Former Presbyterian Moderator Dr Ken Newell and representatives of the Church of Ireland, Methodist, Roman Catholic and City Church will take part in an inter church service this weekend in solidarity with those who have been targetted by racists.

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Belfast's Lord Mayor, Cllr Naomi Long will attend and other public and representative figures have been invited to the service which will take place at Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, Fitzroy Avenue, on Sunday evening.

"After the dreadful events that have taken place on the streets of our community we hope this service will strike a positive note, both celebrating the rich Biblical heritage of making a place for the foreigner and articulating our care and compassion for all who are part of our local community," said one of the organisers, Rev Wilfred Orr, minister of Newtownbreda Presbyterian.