A family of Kurdish refugees have been moved from the city's Ford estate after an attack on their house.

Police say "an object" was thrown through the family's front door.

The attack follows the murder of Iranian asylum seeker Payman Bahrain who died after being stabbed in Hendon on 28 August.

Precautionary measure

Police in Sunderland say a woman and her two children were moved from their home on 21 September after the incident, which they have described as "racially motivated".

A spokesman said no one was hurt and the family were being moved as a precautionary measure.

Last week police in Sunderland called for a temporary ban on sending asylum seekers to the city to be lifted.

'Safe place'

Dispersal of asylum seekers to Wearside was suspended on 16 September at the request of the local police following tensions caused by the death of Payman Bahmani.

But at a meeting on 18 September, they decided to ask the Home Office to end the suspension.

Chief Inspector John Brady, from Northumbria Police, said: "I think Sunderland is a safe place for people to visit and for asylum seekers to come to the area."

An 18-year-old man has been charged with murder, racially aggravated assault and violent disorder in connection with Mr Bahmani's death.