Four boys arrested after teenager injured in suspected sectarian attack

Four teenage boys have been arrested after another was injured in an alleged sectarian attack in north Belfast.

The victim, who is in his early teens, sustained injuries to his arm, nose and head after being punched and kicked in the incident in the Girdwood Avenue area at around 5.50pm on Friday.

He was taken to hospital for treatment.

In a statement on Saturday, the PSNI said: “Four males, aged 13, 14, 15, and 16, were subsequently arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent, and affray.

“They remain in police custody at this time, assisting with enquiries.

“This assault is being investigated as a sectarian hate crime, and we encourage anyone who can assist with our enquiries to get in touch with us by calling 101, and quoting reference number 68 of 30/03/24.”

In a separate incident in Belfast on Friday, police said a teenage boy was assaulted near City Hall.

The PSNI said it was reported that two groups of young people were involved in a fight, resulting in the boy needing hospital treatment for a number of injuries, including to his jaw and mouth.

In a statement, police said: “Officers arrived and the two groups then left the area, one in the direction of Donegall Square West and the other towards Wellington Place.

“This type of incident is not acceptable and we will not tolerate it. Local officers will be in the area over the Easter weekend to ensure the safety of everyone.”

Officers appealed for witnesses to the city centre incident to come forward.