Swastika graffiti 'disturbing and alarming' - Rabbi

Chabad Rabbi Bentzion Alperowitz said people now had a responsibility to "counter" acts like these with positive acts

A Jewish religious leader in Bournemouth has said that the appearance of a swastika on the wall of his home was "very disturbing and very alarming".

Chabad Rabbi Bentzion Alperowitz said that he was taking his children to Shul (synagogue) when he noticed the symbol on Saturday morning.

Dorset Police were alerted to a series of what they described as "hate crimes" on Saturday, with four reports of criminal damage and anti-semitic graffiti.

They said on Saturday at 14:50 BST that two people were abused by a driver on Manor Road in Bournemouth before one of them, a teenager, was shot in the head by an air weapon.

Officers said the teenage boy suffered a minor head injury and they are appealing for anyone with information about the attack to contact them.

Chabad Rabbi Alperowitz said that he understood the boy was making a good recovery.

"Obviously when we went out on Saturday morning and saw the swastika, it was very disturbing and very alarming," he said.

"I can understand why many people feel a sense of fear and are asking for the authorities to do everything in their ability to offer more protection."

He praised the police response so far, but said he believed there needed to be stronger deterrents to prevent similar incidents in future.

Dorset Police said it takes hate crime extremely seriously

"Jewish people should feel safe to walk around in Bournemouth," he said.

"When we see something like this, when we see additional darkness, additional hatred, we need to counter it...with additional light and additional goodness.

"We all together are responsible to bring back Bournemouth to what it truly is, a place of kindness, a place of unity, and everyone has a part in that."

Another member of the Jewish community in Bournemouth, who spoke to the BBC on the condition of anonymity, described feeling very "distressed and intimidated."

"I think it's nationwide people are getting harassed," he said.

Dorset Police said it takes hate crime "extremely seriously" and a full investigation is underway to identify those responsible, and that extra patrols will be carried out in the area.