Police treat attack as 'sectarian'

The attack is the fourth in the area this year

Security is being tightened in the Ballymoney area following the latest in a series of sectarian pipe bomb attacks on houses in north Antrim.

The police said they believed a pipe bomb attack on a family of four in Cloughmills near Ballymoney early on Wednesday morning was sectarian.

Extra police and army patrols are being brought into the area following a number of attacks.

The family, including two children, escaped injury following the attack on their home at Strand Park in the village.

One of two devices exploded inside the house causing damage to the hallway at about 0130 BST.

Maurice Barr: This is an attack on the whole community"

A second pipe bomb was found outside on the windowsill. It did not explode.

A number of families were moved out of their homes while army technical officers made it safe.

Local Presbyterian minister Maurice Barr condemned the attack.

"When this happens it is not only an attack on the family but an attack on the community," he said.

There have been more than 100 pipe bomb attacks, mainly on Catholic families, since the beginning of this year.

The attack came a day after the police said they were going to increase security in the area.