TWO SECTARIAN assaults on teenagers within 15 minutes on Saturday night in north Belfast could easily have left the victims with serious injuries.
The first attack, on the Oldpark Road near Rosapenna Street, was carried out by two males who were riding pushbikes and armed with iron bars. After shouting sectarian comments they struck their 15-year-old victim with the weapons.
Just 15 minutes later another 15-year-old boy walking on the nearby Crumlin Road suffered a similar attack and was struck on the face with something that he believes was metal. Again, his attackers were on pushbikes.
A police statement described the incidents as disgusting, a description it is impossible to disagree with. But more than that, they were extremely dangerous.
People have died after being struck with a single punch. How much more dangerous is it to use any sort of weapon, much less a metal bar.
Every assistance must be given to the police as they try to take these people off the streets.
Sectarianism has blighted our society for far too long but since the ceasefire it has not been an almost daily feature. If we do not wish to see such incidents increase it is important that every effort is made to deter those who would attack anyone on the basis of their perceived religion.
The way to deter them is by helping the police bring such individuals before the courts where they should face an appropriately severe deterrent sentence.
