DUP Condemns Tour Bus Attack

North Belfast MLA William Humphrey has condemned an arson attack on two buses owned by the Belfast company Allen's Tours.

A £25,000 double-decker open top bus, a minibus used to transport schoolchildren worth an estimated £3,500 and a Taylor trailer valued at about £16,000 were destroyed by fire. The attack occurred on Sunday night.

Mr Humphrey said: "It is utterly appalling and outrageous that a legitimate company, its personnel and its property should be targeted in this way. These attacks represent sectarian and political fascism. Those responsible must be condemned by all right-thinking people and all political parties.

"The PSNI must investigate all aspects of this criminal campaign thoroughly, including the threatening comments made on social media."

The arson attack follows an incident on the Springfield Road in west Belfast last week, during which an Allen's Tours bus carrying a group of Germans was bombarded by stone throwers and had its windows smashed.

The attacks are thought to have begun when a tour bus was mistaken for being in support of the union flag protests at Belfast City Hall.

"I understand that the incident the previous weekend was a booking by a Scottish Highland band," Mr Humphrey said.

"At one stage during its tour more people joined the bus and close to the City Hall some of these waved union flags in support of the flag protest outside City Hall. Shortly after this was highlighted on the media, the Allen’s Tours office started receiving threatening phone calls from some nationalists.

"There have also been threatening comments made on Facebook, including threats against individuals. This campaign of hatred has now escalated to physical and arson attacks against company buses."

Ben Allen, owner of Allen's Tours, said: "Both buses are completely wrecked. There are just the metal frames of the seats left. They are going to have to be scrapped.

"We have the World Police and Fire Games coming to Belfast soon so we will have to get replacements as quick as possible because that is going to be massive for Belfast. We expect to be busy."

(IT/CD)