Three individuals have been apprehended after a disturbing racially-motivated hate crime incident occurred at a crowded beach in North Down on Monday, as per law enforcement authorities.
The police were alerted to an assault involving three men in their thirties at Helen’s Bay beach around 9 pm, during a time when the beach was bustling with people due to the high temperatures earlier in the day.
The assault followed a prior verbal dispute, resulting in the victims sustaining severe yet non-life-threatening injuries. Subsequently, three men aged 28, 23, and 21 were arrested in their vehicle on suspicion of assault causing bodily harm and possession of a weapon.
Upon searching the vehicle, authorities found suspected class A and class B drugs, leading to the 23-year-old’s additional arrest for drug possession charges. The trio remains in police custody as the investigation progresses.
The police spokesperson confirmed that the incident is being treated as a hate crime motivated by racism. They assured the community that the inquiry is advancing swiftly and praised the public for assisting in averting further escalation of the altercation.
As the investigation continues, the police urge any witnesses to come forward and provide information by contacting 101, referencing incident number 1721 from May 25, 2026. They particularly seek any footage of the incident for assistance in the case.
Information can also be shared through the online non-emergency reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.
