Northern Ireland

Children ‘badly shaken’ following arson attack police are treating as racially motivated

Window smashed at property and graffiti sprayed during incident on Saturday

PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 10-08-25 Arson Attack in Newtownabbey Police are appealing for information and witnesses following two cars on fire in the East Way area of Newtownabbey shortly before 10.50pm on Saturday, August 9. Inspector Brown said: "Officers attended, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, who extinguished the blaze. Significant damage has been caused to both cars. "It was further reported that glass in a window and door of a nearby house had been smashed and that there was graffiti on the front of the house.  "Thankfully, no serious injuries have been reported by the family who were inside the house at the time – a man, a woman and three young children - although they have been left shaken by the ordeal.” Photo - Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press
A property in Newtownabbey has been targeted in an attack police are treating as racially motivated. PICTURE: PACEMAKER (Andrew McCarroll/Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Pres)
By Staff Reporter

Three young children were among occupants of a property left “badly shaken” following an arson attack in Co Antrim that police are treating as a racially motivated hate crime.

Two cars were set on fire in the East Way area of Newtownabbey shortly before 10.50pm on Saturday.

PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 10-08-25 Arson Attack in Newtownabbey Police are appealing for information and witnesses following two cars on fire in the East Way area of Newtownabbey shortly before 10.50pm on Saturday, August 9. Inspector Brown said: "Officers attended, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, who extinguished the blaze. Significant damage has been caused to both cars. "It was further reported that glass in a window and door of a nearby house had been smashed and that there was graffiti on the front of the house.  "Thankfully, no serious injuries have been reported by the family who were inside the house at the time – a man, a woman and three young children - although they have been left shaken by the ordeal.” Photo - Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press
One of the vehicles damaged in the arson attack in Newtownabbey's East Way on Saturday. PICTURE: PACEMAKER (Andrew McCarroll/Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Pres)

The window of a nearby property was smashed and graffiti sprayed on the wall.

Firefighters arrived and extinguished the blaze, which caused “extensive damage” to the vehicles.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Thankfully, no serious injuries have been reported by the family who were inside the house at the time – a man, a woman and three young children - although they have been left shaken by the ordeal.

“Our enquiries are ongoing, and at this time, we are treating this as arson with a racially-motivated hate element.

“We are appealing to anyone who might have any information which may assist us, to get in touch.

“The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 1867 of 09/08/25.”