POLICE are probing a potential link in a series of arson attacks on phone masts in west Belfast.
Five phone masts and an electric box were set alight overnight on Thursday into the early hours of Friday.
Police said the first phone mast targeted was in the Donegall Road area at around 11.15pm on Thursday.
Fifteen minutes later another phone mast was attacked in the Owenvarragh Park area.
A third phone mast was targeted on the Springfield Road at around 1.10am on Friday, and an electric box shortly before 2.45am in the Monagh Bypass area.
Police later discovered a phone mast on fire in the Stewartstown Road area at around 3.45am
A PSNI spokeswoman said each report was attended by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the blazes were extinguished.
The spokeswoman added that they are "investigating a potential link between these incidents and are appealing to anyone who was in any of these areas and who may have information, or dash-cam or other footage, to contact them on 101".
SDLP councillor Paul Doherty has condemned the attacks.
“Those behind a number of arson attacks on phone masts across west Belfast on Thursday night into Friday morning need to wise up and stop causing destruction and disruption in their own communities," he said.
"Engaging in this kind of activity is absolutely futile.
“Whatever the motivation behind these incidents, our police and fire service have much more important things to be dedicating their resources to than this.
"Anyone with any information about these attacks should come forward to police as soon as possible."
