'Abhorrent' graffiti painted in park's play area

The Met said it was investigating a hate crime incident in Clissold Park

An investigation has begun after "abhorrent" graffiti was painted in a children's play area in a north-east London park over the Easter weekend.

Hackney's mayor Caroline Woodley took to social media to hit out at the vandalism after swastikas were painted on rocks in Stoke Newington's Clissold Park on Easter Sunday.

She said officers were out on Sunday night and on Monday morning to remove the graffiti.

The Metropolitan Police said it was investigating a hate crime incident. It said inquiries were ongoing.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) found since March 2023 there had been 443 recorded antisemitic hate crime incidents in the borough, according to Met police data.

Clissold is flanked by two Jewish institutions — Kehillah North London community centre from its south eastern corner, and Adath Yisroel synagogue to its north east.

On X, Woodley described the graffiti as "abhorrent" and said there was "no place for hate".

Ward councillor Fliss Premru called the incident a "disgusting act which we will not tolerate in our community".

She told the LDRS it had been "swiftly reported by Clissold Park users and quickly dealt with by council and park team".

"The police were alerted as soon as possible," the independent councillor added.

Labour councillor Susan Fajana Thomas, the borough's community safety and regulatory services lead, said: "Hackney Council strongly condemns the hateful graffiti that appeared in a local play area this week.

"This behaviour is completely unacceptable and has no place in our borough."

She added: "We are committed to ensuring that everyone in Hackney feels safe in our public spaces, especially places designed for children and families.

"We're also working closely with partners, including the police, to investigate this matter and take any further necessary action."