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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Connor Lynch

BMCA arson investigations: Police have 'exhausted all lines of enquiry'

Police say they have "exhausted all lines of enquiry" into investigations into the two arson attacks that targeted the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association building in South Belfast.

In January 2021, the BMCA building on Donegall Pass was badly damaged as a result of an arson attack.

A year later in April, days after repairs had been completed on the building, it was targeted again in another devastating arson attack.

Read more: Belfast Multi-Cultural Association to sell premises after arson attacks

Two men were arrested following the first incident and subsequently released.

The PSNI have now said that detectives have "exhausted all active lines of enquiry" as part of their investigation, however have said that if fresh evidence comes to light it will be investigated.

The BMCA has now made the desicion to sell its premises on Donegall Pass and look for a new home, saying that members did not feel comfortable or safe returning to it.

It also said: "There has been no progress with the police case for either attack, despite CCTV footage, prominence of our building and the high profile nature of the attacks, and prior threats of violence to us and our centre."

Belfast area Commander, Chief Superintendent Darrin Jones said: “At present detectives investigating the arson have exhausted all active lines of enquiry as part of our investigation.

“If fresh evidence comes to light it will be thoroughly investigated.

“As an organisation, we understand the impact these type of attacks have on vulnerable people and any reports of hate crime are taken very seriously.

“This criminal incident is unacceptable and we continue to appeal to anyone with any information or footage that could assist with enquiries to come forward and help to identify those responsible and put them before the courts.

“You can contact detectives directly by calling 101 quoting reference number 1626 of 14/01/21.

“You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport

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