Car fire linked to hate-motivated damage sparks police appeal in early hours incident

The scene in Bushmills where a car and property were attacked.

(Images: McAuley Multimedia)

A car fire in the early hours of Wednesday morning is being treated by police as a hate-motivated incident after further damage was discovered at a nearby property.

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after midnight on Wednesday 10 June following reports of a vehicle on fire.

Police officers attended alongside crews from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the blaze.

Police investigating hate-motivated element

Graffiti sprayed on a home in Bushmills

Following initial enquiries, officers said additional damage was noted at a nearby property which they believe is linked to the fire.

The incident is now being investigated as hate motivated.

No injuries have been reported at this stage, however the incident is likely to cause concern within the local community given the nature of the investigation.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward as enquiries continue.

Appeal for CCTV and information

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the area shortly after midnight and who may have captured relevant footage on CCTV, dashcam, or mobile phone devices.

A PSNI spokesperson said:

“Police received a report of a car on fire shortly after midnight this morning, Wednesday 10th June.

“Police attended along side our colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the fire.

“There was further damage noted to a nearby property which is believed to be linked to the fire, and this is being treated as hate motivated.

“We would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the this, or would have any information or CCTV, to contact police on 101 quoting reference 14 10/06/26.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting reference 14 of 10/06/26.

Reports can also be submitted online via the PSNI non-emergency reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/

Police enquiries remain ongoing as investigators work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fire and associated property damage.