Police have arrested a 21-year-old man following a racist attack on the home of four Hungarian women in south Belfast.
A front door was forced by a gang of men and windows smashed in the attack which was carried out in the Village area off the Donegall Road area last night.
None of the women was hurt but there are said to have been very shaken by the attack.
A witness told the BBC said the attack was followed by intimidation.
“There were 30 fellas staring threateningly just to make sure these poor people left,” he said. “Thirty fellas baying for blood.”
The incident follows other racist trouble which led to 11 families moving from their homes last month following racist intimidation linked to a soccer match between Northern Ireland and Poland.
The PSNI said yesterday (Fri) its officers are “determined to bring all of those responsible for this despicable attack before the courts”.
The police would be “robustly pursuing the investigation”.
“We take racially motivated incidents very seriously and have made it a priority to bring those responsible to justice.
Neighbourhood officers will continue to work with community representatives and partner agencies in the area to dispel tensions and promote better relations to help ensure that everyone can live together peacefully.” The attack was condemned by local politicians from all parties.
South Belfast MP Alasdair McDonnell said Dr. McDonnell said: “These women have been though a terrifying ordeal and my thoughts are with them.
“The gang who forced their way into the home of these four women are nothing but a group of cowardly racist thugs. Their mentality is to be hostile and aggressive to anyone not the same as themselves.”
Sinn Féin Assembly member Alex Maskey said: “I have recently spoken with a number of people from this area and it is clear that such racist attacks and attitudes do not have the support of the majority of the community.
“Political and community representatives have a duty to make it clear that racism has no place in the community. I would call upon all community and political representatives to unite in support of foreign nationals who live in our community”.
Alliance Assembly member Anna Lo said: “This attack is totally inexcusable. It was a shocking attack on four innocent women who have done nothing wrong except to be from another country.
“I am especially disappointed that this has happened as there has been such good work done in the area to promote good relations by community groups. We must now redouble our efforts to ease tensions in the area.
“People can not use the recent football hooliganism as an excuse to attack these women or any other foreign national.”
DUP councillor Chris Stalford said: “There are an awful lot of people who have come to Northern Ireland for a new life and to make a contribution to our society."