POLICE IN NORTHERN Ireland are treating a petrol bomb attack targeting a family home in Antrim as a religious hate crime.

The family in question escaped injury after a bomb was thrown through the window of their house in Ballykeel in the early hours of this morning.

Antrim superintendent Ryan Henderson said the home owners are “long-standing and valued members of our community”.

“The people who carried out this petrol bomb attack are totally out of step with our modern and multi-cultural community,” he said.

Henderson added: “There were four people in the house at the time of the attack and the safety of neighbours was also put at risk early this morning.

“The criminals who carried out this attack are ignorant, intolerant and dangerous people.

They offer nothing to their community and the people of Ballymena.

Their hateful views and intolerance have manifested themselves in a dangerous attack on an innocent family.”

Alderman Gregg McKeen, chair of the local policing and community safety partnership, said the group “will continue to strive to rid our community of such despicable acts”.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

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