FAMILY FORCED FROM HOME BY RACIST ATTACKS

Warning: This story contains information which some readers may find offensive

An African family living in Antrim say they were forced to leave their home following a spate of racist attacks.

The couple and their two children had lived in the Craighill area of the town for more than a year.

They said they feared they would be killed after racist attacks on their home escalated over the last six weeks.

Miriam, not her real name, rented a home from a private landlord when she moved to Northern Ireland 20 months ago to work in the health service.

Her husband, Andrew, not his real name, and their two children joined her six months later.

The family settled in, the children went to school and made friends.

Miriam and Andrew say the intimidation began at the end of May when anti-immigrant posters were erected in the area.

From that time on, they believe the targeting of their family’s home and property intensified.

The posters, which were taped to lamp posts, addressed landlords, housing associations, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

They read: "We have had enough of undesirables and immigrants being placed in our community. The time has come for locals only”.

The posters also warned that "action will be taken".

She thought maybe a meeting would be organised for landlords in the area.

But she said she now understands it was directed at newcomers like her family.

Two weeks later, on 6 June, a large black X was spray-painted on their living room window.

On 26 June, a printed poster was taped to the window.

It read: “It is not racist to look after your own.” There was a Northern Ireland flag printed below the message.

On 2 July, the windows of their car were smashed.

The couple said they have now moved out and will not be returning to the area.

Miriam said that when she was initially searching for accommodation after securing her job in Northern Ireland, she did not know where to look.

“Nobody told us this was a no-go area for foreigners, that this place has been known for years that foreigners are not welcome.”

'My children are not safe'

The couple said over the last six weeks, they felt like “prisoners in their own home”.

Andrew said his children had to be accompanied to the shops.

“How can this happen in a democratic society?"

Miriam says the situation is affecting every part of her life.

“I’m supposed to report to work in this situation," she said.

"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?”

The family said other African families in the area have had their properties attacked.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they are treating the incidents as hate crimes.

“This report is being linked to the recent spate of hate crime incidents in the area over the last few weeks and is a matter we are prioritising at present," they said.

The PSNI added that they have increased “visibility across the Antrim area” and that a “local neighbourhood policing team has been undertaking enquiries, engaging with the local community to offer advice, guidance, and overall reassurance that we are here to help.".

Miriam and Andrew said they received no offer of help or support from the community or local politicians.

They said there has been a large, spray-painted X on the window for more than four weeks, and in that time nobody came to ask if they were OK.

Andrew said: "You don’t seek assistance from a person who does not talk to you or ask anything from them."

2024-07-04T05:48:15Z dg43tfdfdgfd