POLICE are to increase patrols in north Belfast after Catholic homes were attacked, leaving residents "very frightened".
One house at Herbert Street and two at Crumlin Road were attacked with stones and bricks in the early hours of Tuesday.
A bedroom window of an elderly woman's house was smashed.
It was claimed that when one resident confronted a gang, believed to be aged 15-17, she was called a "fenian ba****d".
SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said the pensioner was "unable to sleep" following the incident as she was so "shook up".
"Parents are concerned about their children, they're very frightened," he said.
"I have spoken to police who will increase patrols and will be speaking with community reps to help put a stop to this.
"Things have been very peaceful. Residents are scared and hope this isn't the start of any tensions rising or any future attacks".
Police last night said they were treating a report of criminal damage on a house at Herbert Street as a hate crime.
Inspector Laura Kelly said: "We received a report at approximately 8.45am that the bedroom window of a property had been smashed at around 3am.
"It was reported that a number of males, believed to be youths, were seen in the area. One of the suspects is described as having blonde hair while the other three had dark hair. One of the suspects was described as wearing a navy-coloured tracksuit, while another male was reported to have been wearing white jeans and a white top."
