Alliance MLA Nick Mathison has denounced a spate of overnight attacks in Newtownards, warning of grave risks to residents and damage to public property.

The Strangford representative condemned a series of incidents across the town late on 26 July, describing the disregard shown for people's lives and public assets as unacceptable. It has been reported that families and children were in both of the two residential properties targeted at the time. Mr Mathison has said: "What we saw take place last night across the town was shocking. Between the damage to public property, and the lives put at risk in the homes that were targeted, this behaviour by masked individuals is utterly reprehensible and there is no excuse for it.

"Local residents are beyond fed up with this type of violence, done with no other purpose and to achieve nothing other than to terrify and exert coercive control over the community. We must all stand firmly united against it.

"We can only be glad no one was seriously injured, but my thoughts are with those impacted by the disorder and I want to thank the emergency services for their work to guarantee the safety of those in the vicinity of these incidents.

"I'd urge anyone with any information that could help the PSNI in their investigations to please get in touch with them, or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers."