Two vehicle fires in Northern Ireland are being treated as hate-motivated arson attacks, police have confirmed, amid a week of anti-immigrant unrest across the region.

Shortly after midnight on Friday, emergency services were called to a car alight on the Glenshane Road in the southeastern part of Londonderry. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the blaze. One vehicle was damaged, but no injuries were sustained. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the incident is being investigated as a hate-motivated arson. Witnesses or anyone with CCTV or doorbell footage are asked to contact police, quoting reference 27 12/06/2026.

Approximately 20 minutes later, fire crews responded to a report of two cars on fire at Hartford Mews, a cul-de-sac in Newtownards, County Down. The blaze damaged two vehicles, and again there were no reports of injuries. The PSNI have confirmed they are treating this fire as a racial hate-motivated arson. An appeal has been issued for information, with police requesting that anyone with relevant footage or knowledge contact them on 101, quoting reference 45 12/06/2026. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crimestoppers.

The incidents come as police deal with a series of disturbances and anti-immigrant unrest reported earlier in the day across Northern Ireland.