Published Wednesday, 08 July 2009
The Northern Ireland Secretary "wholly condemned" the vandalism and attacks on the homes of Romanian migrants - which forced 115 people, including 49 children, to seek refuge in a church hall last month.
He said the PSNI had acknowledged they did not know enough about the Romanian community but said "this of course is a matter that they are looking at".
During Commons question time, Mr Woodward told MPs:
"These attacks in Northern Ireland are wholly to be condemned - fortunately it now seems that these were a relatively isolated set of incidents.
"The House will wish to know that three people have now been charged with serious offences."
A 21-year-old man and two boys aged 15 and 16 appeared in court last month on charges linked to the attacks.
'Tensions'
Tory Philip Hollobone (Kettering) asked why the police had not been more aware of the "simmering tensions" with Romanians in the local community.
"Doesn't this underline the importance of getting effective community policing up and running in Northern Ireland?"
Mr Woodward said: "I think the PSNI do an extraordinarily good job in protecting the community of Northern Ireland.
"I would simply caution you in using this incident to draw a general point.
"That being said, I think we should also acknowledge that the police said they didn't know enough about the Romanian community at the time."
But Mr Woodward said Northern Ireland was already a "genuine welcoming community".
"Let's be clear - the best way we can build that shared future is to complete Stage 2 devolution of policing and justice," he added.