Threat letters for ethnic groups

A number of Romanian families left NI last month

Ethnic organisations in Belfast have received threatening letters demanding they leave NI by 12 July or have their buildings "blown up".

The letters claim to be from a loyalist youth wing and bear the logo of the fascist Combat 18 group.

They were received by the Belfast Islamic Centre, the Polish Association NI and the Indian Community Centre.

The police have pledged to increase security around the premises of the ethnic organisations.

The letters said "non-whites" were not welcome in Northern Ireland and must leave.

More than 100 immigrants returned to Romania after a spate of attacks in Belfast last month.

The Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities spokesman Patrick Yu said the letters were designed to scare people.

"It really is more about trying to reignite the issue," he said.

Mr Yu said race-hate crime had grown steadily in recent years, with assaults, intimidation, harassment and robberies on the increase.