Brick Lands In Baby's Cot In Antrim 'Hate Crime' Incident

The PSNI have slammed those involved in a "reckless" attack in Co Antrim.

A brick was thrown through the window of a house in the Tarragon Park area which landed in the cot of a one-year-old baby.

A kitchen window and an upstairs window were also smashed at the property, just before 2.30am on Wednesday, 12 April.

The PSNI are treating the attack as a "hate crime".

Fortunately, the baby was in another room at the time of the incident.

PSNI Sergeant John Hamilton said: "These reckless actions could have caused serious injury had this not been the case.

"We are appealing to anyone that may have any information or to anyone that may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area at the time to contact Antrim police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 80 of the 12/04/17.

"Or, alternatively if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111."

SDLP Antrim Councillor Roisin Lynch condemned the attack.

She said: "This is an appalling attack on a home in a typically quiet area of Antrim.

"The reckless thugs who smashed the windows in the home not only sought to terrorise this family but they could have seriously injured a young child who luckily wasn't in the cot that a brick landed in.

"Antrim is a welcoming town. Those responsible for this attack stand alone and against people in our town."

Alliance Councillor Neil Kelly said: "This is an absolutely outrageous attack, carried out by a bunch of cowards who have no reason to treat others in this way.

"Everyone has the right to live free from harm and to feel safe in their own home and certainly the Antrim that I represent is open to everyone.

"My thoughts are with the victims who have suffered a terrible attack on their family life and we must all be thankful that this incident didn't end in the injuring of a young baby, or worse.

"The cowards behind this attack do not speak for the majority in the area who want Antrim to remain an open and welcoming town and I would urge anyone with information to contact the PSNI as soon as possible."

(CD)