CARS owned by two eastern European men were set alight in two separate hate crimes in Ballymena.

The first car was set alight in Dunclug Gardens in the Co Antrim town at around 3.30am. The second car was torched in Dunclug Park shortly before 5am.

Police said they are treating the arson attacks as hate crimes.

The men who own the cars both live in the area.

The attacks came after a house in Ballykeel in Ballymena was damaged in a hate crime on Tuesday of last week.

Householder Margaret Ibrahim said her home in Kintyre Park was targeted in a petrol bomb attack because her husband Amin Ibrahim is a Muslim.

First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the recent hate crimes are unacceptable.

"Thankfully no one was injured in these attacks but the entire community must unite and reject this behaviour which exudes intolerance, ignorance and zero respect for humanity," they said.

"We urge anyone with any information relating to these attacks to bring it to the PSNI.

"Many families have sons, daughters or close family members dotted around the globe and they must consider how they would feel if they were being attacked or singled out because of their race, colour or nationality.

"We must make every effort to create the conditions where we are welcoming and everyone feels part of the community."

Sinn Féin North Antrim assembly member Daithí McKay said it was fortunate no one was injured in the attacks.

"These attacks are totally wrong and must be condemned outright. Thankfully no one was injured in these incidents," he said.

"There can be no place for racism in our society. It is those behind these attacks who are not welcome in our society - not those who they targeted."