Catholic and African residents targeted by paint bombs in County Antrim

A suspected loyalist gang has targeted Catholic and African residents in a spate of sectarian and racist attacks in County Antrim that has forced at least one family to flee.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said it was treating the incidents as hate crimes and had increased police visibility across the town of Antrim.

A campaign of paint bombs, smashed windows, graffiti and threatening posters around the Craighill area has escalated in recent weeks in a purported effort to deter outsiders and newcomers.

“Attention landlords, NIHE, housing associations, we have had enough of undesirables and immigrants being placed in our community,” said one poster. “The time has come for locals only. No multiculturalism, no sex offenders. Action will be taken.” The NIHE is the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

A family from Africa told the BBC the intimidation began in May with anti-immigrant posters. In June a black X was spray-painted on their living room window, and a poster that said “It is not racist to look after your own” and included a Northern Ireland flag was taped to the window. After their car windows were smashed, the family fled.

“I’m supposed to report to work in this situation,” said the mother. “My family is not safe. My children are not safe. I am afraid to see my children walking outside. I don’t know what is the next step. What crime have you committed? I am working, paying taxes. After all that, they come to attack me in the night. What offence have I committed to deserve all this?”

Last week paint bombs were thrown at the homes of two Catholic families, including a bungalow adapted for a nine-year-old boy, Jessy Clark, who uses a wheelchair because of spina bifida and other conditions. The family posted a video and condemned the attack.

The Irish News attributed the campaign to a gang linked to the Loyalist Volunteer Force . Union flags and Ulster symbols have proliferated in the area in the run-up to the traditional 12 July loyalist parades.