Campaigner condemns race-hate harassment of family

An anti-racism campaigner has condemned the harassment of a family on the outskirts of Londonderry, which police are treating as a racially-motivated hate crime.

The family, who live in Strathfoyle, reported verbal abuse which went on for weeks, with mud and water balloons also thrown at their home.

A police spokesperson confirmed officers had spoken to a number of young people about the incidents.

Anti-racism campaigner Beverly Simpson, who is an independent member of the local policing and community safety partnership, said the family should be allowed to live in peace.

She said everyone had a responsibility for make sure their neighbours felt safe, regardless of their ethnicity.

She told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme that there was a "growing awareness" of race-hate crimes.

"Once there's awareness there's hope, you can work with awareness," she said.