A petrol bomb was thrown at a car in the Killyvalley Park area of Garvagh in Co Derry early this morning.
The attack, which police are treating as a sectarian incident, was reported shortly after 2am.
The car was substantially damaged by flames and a nearby house was also damaged.
The PSNI is appealing for anyone who witnessed the petrol bomb being thrown or anyone who can identify those responsible to contact them.
SDLP MLA John Dallat has called on Justice Minister David Ford to bring forward legislation to impose stricter jail sentences on those who throw petrol bombs and endanger life.
Mr Dallat said: 'The hate laws are totally inadequate to deal with thugs who specialise in filling bottles with petrol and throwing them not knowing if they will burn out a car, burn down a house or murder someone.
'Garvagh has been quiet for a considerable time. Ordinary people are trying to get on with their lives, earn a living, educate their children and put the past behind them.
'The sell-by date for petrol bombers is long over; it should never have started and most certainly it is time for laws which adequately address hate crimes.'
