Image copyright Sinn Féin Image caption Windows were broken and paint bombs were thrown at the family's home in Newry overnight, in the latest of a series of attacks at the property

An attack on the home of a Traveller family is being treated as the latest in a series of hate crimes at their house in Newry, County Down.

Windows were broken and paint bombs were thrown at the property in Chequer Court, near the city centre, overnight.

Police said they have made several arrests over this and other attacks at the house over the past fortnight.

In the first attack on 4 July, a 29-year-old woman was assaulted. The next day, the house was hit with eggs twice.

'Traumatised'

Sinn Féin councillor Charlie Casey said: "There have been a number of attacks on this family home in recent days which is unacceptable."

He added that the family has a number of young children who were "frightened and traumatised by this action".

"These attacks must stop and I am calling on anyone with information on them to contact the PSNI before someone is seriously hurt," Mr Casey said.

After the initial attack, a 30-year-old man and 21-year-old woman were arrested for affray and assault causing actual bodily harm. The pair were later released on bail pending further inquiries.

The following day, Sunday 5 July, police were called back to the house twice, when eggs where thrown at the property shortly after midnight and again after 10:00 BST.

Officers arrested two women aged 26 and 50 and a 24-year-old man on suspicion of various offences.

Charged

In the latest incidents within the past two days, police have arrested three women aged 21, 26 and 50 on suspicion of theft, criminal damage, threats to damage property and intimidating a witness. They have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and intimidating a witness and was later released on bail pending further inquiries.

A 24-year-old man was charged with intimidating a witness and was due to appear before Newry Magistrates Court on Friday.