Police investigating possible link between series of attacks in Larne

Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Police have said they are investigating a potential link between a number of attacks in Larne.

Two homes were damaged in petrol bomb attacks in the Co Antrim town and another incident is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime.

The PSNI said it is probing several reports of attacks overnight in Larne which included arson, criminal damage and a firearms incident.

A spokesperson said: “We received reports that between approximately 11pm and 11.15pm yesterday, petrol bombs had been thrown at two homes, and windows smashed and graffiti daubed at another.

“Two windows were smashed at the first property in the St John’s Place area, and a petrol bomb had caused scorch and smoke damage to the living room.

“Thankfully the persons present were uninjured.

“At the second property, in the Elizabeth Avenue area, an upstairs window had been smashed by a petrol bomb and scorch and smoke damage caused to a bedroom.

“No-one was at home at the time.”

A third report was made about an attack on a property in Cedric Street, which is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime.

Two windows were smashed and graffiti sprayed at the front of the house.

A family, including children, were present at the time.

The spokesperson said: “There is no place in our society for such behaviour, and it’s particularly shocking that this type of attack should be carried out while young children are present.

“We are grateful that no-one was injured, though we are very aware that we could potentially have been dealing with much more serious consequences this morning.”

The spokesperson added: “At around 4am this morning we received a further report that the resident of a property in Hillmount Gardens had been assaulted by one of two men who tried to enter his property with what he believed to be a gun.

“He was hit in the face by one of the men, sustaining a minor injury, before the men made off in different directions.

“He did not require medical attention.

“We are investigating a potential link between these incidents and are appealing to anyone who was in the named areas and may have relevant information, including dashcam or other footage, to contact us on 101, quoting reference 1727 of 21/07/24.”