Police probe trail vandalism as racially motivated

Sussex Police say that a number of the plaques have been taken from signs in the South Downs National Park

Police are treating the theft of plaques linking to poems from "writers of global heritage" in the South Downs National Park as a racially motivated crime.

Sussex Police say that a number of the plaques have been taken from signs in the park, which stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex.

A force spokesman said: "Police are investigating the theft of a series of plaques in the South Downs National Park as racially motivated.

"The plaques, which contain QR codes linking users to stories and poems from writers of global heritage, are reported to have been stolen on or around August 29."

Sgt Tom Carter, of the Sussex Police Rural Crime Team, said: "The fact that someone chose to steal plaques from this particular trail, which features work by female writers from black and global majority backgrounds, is a detestable act that deprives others of the enjoyment of these incredible works.

"As only these specific plaques have been targeted, we are investigating this as a racially motivated theft.

"There is absolutely no place for racism or hate crime in Sussex, and anyone found to commit offences can expect to be dealt with robustly."

'Very upsetting'

The plaques are believed to have been removed with a screwdriver, as the screws were put back into the posts.

Speaking on Sunday, a spokesperson from South Downs National Park Authority said: "As no other plaques were targeted in the area, we can sadly only assume that the theft is targeted and racially motivated."

The plaques were linked to 13 audio stories that were part of a trail unveiled in 2023 called We Hear You Now.

A member of the Lewes Stand Up To Racism group said the thefts were "very upsetting".

"All my life I have come across attempts to erase our stories from history. And now this," they added.