UPDATE: PSNI today ‘increased patrolling’ after schoolgirls left ‘badly shaken’ in ‘hate crime’ - youngsters were spat on and targeted with objects - ‘There is no room for sectarianism in 2020. None whatsoever’

Twenty-four hours after the incident police have posted on social media that they have ‘increased patrolling the Oldpark Road’ following the report of an incident yesterday around 3.45pm when ‘two young girls were walking in the area’.

In the post they say ‘a group of young people shouted at the two girls and threw objects at them’ and ‘two young males on a bicycle approached the girls and spat at the girls twice’.

The post adds: ‘Both girls were not injured but were left badly shaken.

‘We are making enquiries and treating this incident as a hate crime.’

Yesterday North Belfast DUP Councillor Dale Pankhurst has told of his “disgust” after the incident.

He said: “Utterly disgusted and appalled to hear of a sectarian attack against two Girls’ Model pupils who were making their way home through Oldpark and Hillview after a day in school.

“Both girls were spat at, had objects thrown at them, and sectarian abuse directed at them.

“I will be raising this with the local police teams to ensure everything is done to bring those behind this to justice.

“There is no room for sectarianism in 2020. None whatsoever.”

A PSNI spokesman has said that enquiries are continuing into the incident

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information, is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1670 02/11/20. You can call 101, or you can submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.

The independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.

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