A petrol bomb was thrown at a mosque in Co Down the early hours of this morning, while cars were set alight in Belfast, in incidents the PSNI have described as racially motivated hate crimes.
The mosque on Greenwell Street in Newtownards, was attacked at around 1am after a petrol bomb was thrown at it and racist graffiti was daubed on the building.
The petrol bomb failed to ignite.
"This is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime and I want to send a strong message to those who carried this out, that this type of activity will not be tolerated and any reports of hate crime are taken very seriously," said PSNI Chief Inspector Hutchinson.
"I am appealing to anyone with any information or footage that could assist with enquiries to come forward and help to identify those responsible and put them before the courts."
Police said a number of protests in Belfast city centre last night passed off without any major incidents, however a number of cars were set alight in Tavanagh Street and Sandhurst Gardens.
The back door of a restaurant on Ormeau Road was also kicked in and workers inside were subjected to racial slurs.
Five people were arrested last night, bringing the total number of those arrested during recent disturbances to 31.
A 22-year-old man has been charged with offences including disorderly behaviour and criminal damage after he was arrested when he threw a bottle at a police vehicle during protests in Belfast.
A 51-year-old man was also charged with disorderly behaviour following the city centre protest.
A 37-year man was arrested in Portrush on suspicion of "intentionally encouraging riot" in relation to online activity.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: "We continue to investigate all reports made to us in relation to the recent disorder on our streets and we will be making further arrests."
"The outpouring of support from our communities for their neighbours who have chosen to make Northern Ireland their home has been heartening, and more accurately reflects the views of most of the citizens of Northern Ireland," she added.
