Racist abuse reported as two men assaulted in Coleraine attack

Two men were assaulted and subjected to alleged racist abuse during a late-night incident in Coleraine, prompting a police appeal for witnesses and information.

The attack happened in the Railway Road area on Sunday night, June 21, with police receiving a report of a fight involving a number of men at around 11.10pm.

According to the PSNI, officers attended the scene and separated those involved after two men were assaulted during the altercation.

Police say racist abuse was shouted at the injured men during the incident.

One of the victims was punched in the face, while the second was struck on the side of the head and kicked in the stomach.

One of the injured men later attended hospital for treatment.

Arrest made following incident

Inspector Dalzell said police are treating the incident as racially motivated and have launched enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding what happened.

He said:

“We received a report at around 11.10pm of a fight involving a number of men in the Railway Road area.

“Officers attended the scene, where two men had been assaulted, and separated the fighting men. It was reported that racist abuse had been shouted at the injured parties, with one man punched to the face while the other was hit on the side of his head and kicked in the stomach.

“One of the men subsequently attended hospital for treatment to his injuries.”

A man in his forties was arrested on suspicion of two counts of common assault and possession of a Class A controlled drug.

Police said he has since been released on bail to allow further enquiries to be carried out.

Appeal for witnesses and footage

Detectives are urging anyone who was in the Railway Road area at the time of the incident to come forward, particularly anyone who may have captured images, mobile phone footage or dashcam video that could assist the investigation.

Inspector Dalzell added:

“We would appeal to anyone who was in the area on Sunday night and saw what happened, or who has any information which may assist with our enquiries – including images or any video footage – to contact us on the 101 number, quoting reference 1725 of 22/06/26.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101, quoting reference 1725 of 22/06/26.

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

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at https://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.

The investigation remains ongoing as police work to establish the full circumstances of the alleged racially motivated assaults and identify everyone involved.