THE PSNI SAID it is investigating a string of “racially motivated hate crimes” after another night of violence in Belfast.

A petrol bomb which failed to ignite was thrown at a mosque, cars were set alight and “racist graffiti” was daubed on the building according to Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones.

It comes ahead of demonstrations planned this afternoon by anti-racism protesters in response to the violence seen over the past week.

While the PSNI said the gatherings in Belfast city centre yesterday passed off “largely without incident”, it said police are investigating a number of overnight reports of damage to property and vehicles.

A mosque on Greenwell Street in Newtownards was attacked at around 1am and a petrol bomb was thrown but failed to ignite and racist graffiti was daubed on the building, the PSNI said in a statement.

“Cars were set alight in Tavanagh Street and Sandhurst Gardens in Belfast and both are, at this time, being treated as racially motivated hate crimes,” the PSNI said.

The rear door of a restaurant on Ormeau Road was also “kicked and racial slurs shouted to the workers inside” the premises.

Arrests made

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said that a number of further arrests have been made, condemning the violence seen in recent days.

“The outpouring of support from our communities for their neighbours who have chosen to make Northern Ireland their home has been heartening and more accurately reflects the views of most of the citizens of Northern Ireland,” Jones said.

A total of five further arrests were made yesterday, bringing the total number of people arrested to 31. A 22 year old man was arrested following yesterday’s protests in Belfast when he threw a bottle at a police vehicle.

He has since been charged with offences including disorderly behaviour and criminal damage. He’s due to appear in court on 6 September.

A 51 year old man also arrested following the city centre protest activity has also been charged with disorderly behaviour and will appear in court today.

Meanwhile, two 14 year old boys were arrested in Derry and have been subsequently charged. It’s after a number of petrol bombs were found by police in the vicinity of Spencer Road.

One male was charged with possession of petrol bomb in suspicious circumstances, while the other teen was charged with possessing articles for use with petrol bombs.

A 37 year old man was arrested in Portrush on suspicion of ‘intentionally encouraging riot’ in relation to online activity. He remains in police custody at present.

A 55 year old arrested earlier yesterday on suspicion of Publishing Written Material Intended to Stir Up Hatred remains in custody, while a 53 year old male arrested under Section 41 TACT 2000 has been released following questioning. Police enquiries continue.

With reporting from Jane Matthews