Northern Ireland

£5,000 reward for information on 'hate crime' arson attack on Belfast multi-cultural centre

The scene yesterday after the fire at the Cultural Association building on Donegall Pass in the south of the city which on Thursday night �was started deliberately�. Branding it a branded a �hate crime�, the PSNI has launched an investigation alongside the fire service. Picture by Hugh Russell.
The scene yesterday after the fire at the Cultural Association building on Donegall Pass in the south of the city which on Thursday night â��was started deliberatelyâ��. Branding it a branded a à The scene yesterday after the fire at the Cultural Association building on Donegall Pass in the south of the city which on Thursday night â��was started deliberatelyâ��. Branding it a branded a â��hate crimeâ��, the PSNI has launched an investigation alongside the fire service. Picture by Hugh Russell.

A REWARD of up to £5,000 is being offered for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of anyone linked to a "hate crime" arson attack on a multi-cultural centre.

Police revisited the scene of the blaze at the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association (BMCA) on Donegall Pass last night - a week after the deliberate fire caused "significant damage".

Chief Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick said officers have been carrying out door to door enquiries, community engagement and reviewing CCTV as they continue to appeal for information.

Last night, wearing PPE, they stopped and spoke to motorists and pedestrians in case they were in the area at the same time last week and "had information that could help us identify those involved".

"I am also grateful to the independent charity Crimestoppers, who are offering a reward of up to £5,000 to anyone providing information directly and anonymously to Crimestoppers which leads to the arrest and conviction of any person or persons linked to this incident," he said.

"It's believed the fire was started deliberately, and we are treating it as a hate crime.

"Those who worked in or volunteered in the Centre were providing much needed support to the local community.

"This criminal incident is unacceptable and we are working tirelessly to identify those responsible and put them before the courts."

He said anyone with information can contact his team directly on 101 quoting reference number 1626 of 14/01/21 or submit a report online via psni.police.uk/makeareport/.

The Crimestoppers number is 0800 555 111 with an anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.