A MOTHER has spoken of her terror after petrol was poured through her letter box in the dead of night.The woman, who does not want to be identified, was woken up at around 1am when she heard her dog barking downstairs.

A MOTHER has spoken of her terror after petrol was poured through her letter box in the dead of night.

The woman, who does not want to be identified, was woken up at around 1am when she heard her dog barking downstairs.

When she went to investigate she found the front door and hallway floor covered in petrol.

Police and fire crews were called immediately but the woman, whose three young children were sleeping upstairs at the time of the attack, is in shock after such a sinister act.

She said: “I don't know what to do at the moment - it's all very upsetting.

“I just thank god my dog was there. I dread to think what could have happened if it wasn't barking.”

Monday's incident is the latest blow to the Ipswich family after two of the woman's sons were subjected to a tirade of racial abuse on a bus earlier this month.

As revealed in The Evening Star last week, the two boys aged 10 and 11, who are of mixed race were left shaken after a man in his 30's threatened to kill them and yelled at them to go back to their own country after they boarded an Ipswich bus from Tower Ramparts on November 18.

A spokesman for Suffolk Police said they do not have a reason to believe the two incidents are related but they are very concerned about both incidents, particularly, the petrol attack.

However, the family has sought some solace in the actions of two kind strangers who left a note and £5 to each of the two brothers, to remind them there is still some good in the world.

The note from two strangers known only as 'G & M read: “A little token to you both, wishing you all the best.”

“There are more nice than nasty people in the world.”

The boys' mother, said: “I would like to thank the two lovely people who sent my sons the letter and gifts.

“I really do appreciate their support.”

Since the racial abuse, her sons have been too scared to go back on the bus and their mother is concerned that without any other means of getting to school they are missing out on their education.

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council said: “We have been in contact with the boys' mother and she will be meeting with the Racial Harassment Initiative which is part of the county council.

“They will offer help and support and together we will take any necessary action, so that the brothers can go back to school, unafraid of further attacks.”

The abusive man is described as white with dark brown hair and was wearing blue jeans and a grey top at the time of the attack.

Police are urging anyone who knows anything about either of the two incidents to call them on 01473 613500.