Coleraine family targeted in early-Morning arson attack deemed racially motivated

The scene of today’s incident in Coleraine.

Images: Kevin McAuley • McAuley Multimedia

Detectives in Coleraine are appealing for information following a deliberate arson attack at a family home in the early hours of Friday 13th June, which police are treating as a racially-motivated hate crime.

Emergency services were called to the Mount Street area of the town at around 3am. According to Detective Inspector Hanbidge, the alarm was raised following reports of a fire at the rear of the property.

“Upon officers’ arrival the fire had been extinguished by colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service,” DI Hanbidge confirmed.

“Thankfully, the house had not caught fire after an oil tank at the rear of the property had been set alight causing damage to the outside of the property. The inside of the house, however, had filled with smoke.”

Inside the home at the time were a man, a woman, and their four young children. All six occupants managed to escape the premises uninjured.

DI Hanbidge condemned the attack, stating:

“This, however, was a deliberate attack on a young family which could have had potentially serious consequences.

“As such, we are treating this report as arson with a racially-motivated hate element, and everyone, regardless of their ethnic background, has the right to feel safe in their home.”

Police have launched a full investigation and confirmed that officers remain at the scene conducting enquiries throughout Friday. They are urging anyone with information to come forward.

“We are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and noticed anything suspicious to make contact with us,” said DI Hanbidge. “We also want to hear from anyone who may have CCTV, dash-cam or other footage of the area to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 144 13/06/25.”

Members of the public can also submit information via the PSNI’s online reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.

Alternatively, anonymous information can be provided to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has reiterated its commitment to protecting all communities and treating hate-motivated crimes with the utmost seriousness.