Community sickened by town's racist graffiti
Members of the Indian and broader Asian community in Ballymena, many of them established in the town for generations, have been sickened by racist graffiti painted on their properties.
Police are investigating after the graffiti appeared last week.
Nine houses in the Leighinmohr Avenue area were targeted along with another property in Tullymore Park.
Slogans were also daubed on a wall at the local council office car park.
It is understood that one of their neighbours was so upset by the incident that he painted over the slogans.
Officers are treating this incident as a hate crime and are appealing for witnesses.
Ivy Ridge of Ballymena’s inter-ethnic forum said the incident was highly unusual in Ballymena.
“Many of the people affected have been in Ballymena for decades.
“Their children have been born and brought up here and feel fully part of the community.
“This has obviously caused upset and some anxiety but we have already held a meeting with police to assure people that they will be supported,” she said.