Families ‘stockpiling food in homes amid fear of race hate incidents’
By Rebecca Black, Press Association
Some people from ethnic minority communities in Northern Ireland are stockpiling food in their homes out of fear of potential race hate incidents, it has been claimed.
It comes after disorder broke out in Ballymena and spread to other parts of the region last summer.
Police figures have indicated an increase in race hate incidents, with 2,367 recorded between April 2025 and March 2026, up 561 (31 per cent) on the previous year.
These represent the highest recorded levels since the data series began in 2004/05.
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher’s latest accountability report to the Policing Board said crimes with a racist motivation increased to 1,507 in 2025/26 from 1,187 in the previous financial year, an increase of 27 per cent.
It also said that a victim satisfaction survey found that those who believed the PSNI treated them with fairness and respect had increased to 85.1 per cent, with almost 70 per cent of victims satisfied with their contact with officers.
During remarks to the board on Thursday, Boutcher expressed concern about the “malign influence of bad actors spreading extreme and hateful disinformation on social media”.
He backed a call by Henry Nowak’s parents that his death in Southampton should not be “used to create division”.
“There are those who decide to seek to use any incident in our communities to create misunderstanding, generate fear and provoke hatred,” Boutcher said.
“I, like everybody here, was devastated to watch the footage of Henry Nowak’s arrest and death.
“My heart goes out to Henry’s family who, with great dignity and humility… make clear his death would not be used to create division.
“Offensive murals, banners and posters have recently been erected in parts of Northern Ireland. It’s incumbent on all of us to stand up to all forms of hatred.”
Former Community Relations Council chairman Peter Osborne welcomed the comments by Boutcher.
He put to the leadership of the PSNI that the report “shows that race hate incidents and crime from a very high level are getting even higher, both numerically and proportionately”.
He said he has heard from ethnic minority communities an appreciation of PSNI outreach at a senior level, but also of anxiety and fear of “what’s going to happen over the next number of months”.
“I even hear of people storing food in the house,” he said.
“To be clear what that means, there are people, because of the colour of their skin, believe that over the summer they may be so frightened that they or their families will not leave the house for long periods of time.
“You mentioned bad actors, whether it’s banners appearing where the legislation is clear about removing it, or whether it’s people on social media or any other manifestation of that race hate – how are you preparing for the summer?”
Boutcher replied: “We have a really good relationship with ethnic minority communities. I meet them regularly.
“We’ve had some really difficult major disturbances in the last two years. I’ve spoken to this board about me meeting families who weren’t reporting activity against them and never have, because there was an acceptance of it, and now they are reporting that.”
Boutcher said officers are “always alive” to incidents elsewhere causing tensions, leading to disorder on the streets of Northern Ireland.
“I do have some real concerns because of what I’ve seen happen this week, but we are ready for it, and we’re reassuring people,” he added.
