Authorities under fire as Co Down racist graffiti 'left up more than a week': Police probe hate crime
Authorities in a Co Down town have come under fire after vile racist graffiti sprayed on its walls was, an area householder says, left up untouched for more than a week.
Messages saying “whites only” accompanied by swastikas were daubed on parts of the Bowtown area of Newtownards, with photos seen by the News Letter showing them on what appeared to be a house’s gable wall and a border of a housing development.
An area resident, who asked to remain nameless, stated she was “appalled that openly racist graffiti” has been “allowed to remain” in an area she pointed out is close to a primary school.
“At a time when Northern Ireland is grappling with the consequences of racial tensions and hate incidents, allowing such messages to remain visible sends entirely the wrong signal,” she said.
“This is about basic decency. Every family should be able to walk through their community without being confronted by messages of hatred and exclusion.”
The graffiti was still up, she said, despite “multiple and ongoing reports” to local politicians, the police and the area’s council.
A PSNI spokesman said the graffiti is being treated as a racially-motivated hate crime, and appealed for witnesses.
A spokeswoman for Ards and North Down Council said the body “strongly condemns the racist graffiti”, and “recognises the fear and distress incidents like this can cause”.
She added, however, that the hate messages are “not on council property, so not for the council to remove”.
But the body said it would would work with the PSNI and “other partners” to “help to ensure this incident is addressed appropriately”.