Far-right graffiti removed by 'horrified' residents

Residents have painted over Islamophobic, antisemitic and far-right graffiti which appeared in their town.

Volunteers organised by Swindon Stand Up to Racism removed the graffiti, which included a swastika, from an alleyway in the Wiltshire town.

Swindon Borough Council said its officers "always aim to remove any offensive graffiti within 48 hours of it being reported", adding it could find no evidence of the graffiti - which was between Swindon Road and Eastcott Hill - being reported.

Solicitor Repi Begum was one of 12 people who took part in the clean-up and said she was "astonished that society still has this kind of hatred", adding it was "abhorrent".

Ms Begum, who is also a councillor, said the graffiti "is a way to put fear in people" and seeing it means "you don't know what kind of hate lurks around the corner".

"I feel like it's my duty to remove any kind of hatred designed to divide us," she said.

Repi Begum called the graffiti "abhorrent"

A British Muslim, Ms Begum, said people challenged her British heritage at a recent anti-asylum protest in the town, where she was part of a counter-protest.

She said: "This is the only home I know, and I'm going to do everything I can to protect it and the people in it."

Rhys Williams, an activist for Swindon Stand Up to Racism who organised the clean-up

Rhys Williams, an activist for Swindon Stand Up to Racism, said "people were concerned, horrified and outraged" when the graffiti was discovered.

Mr Williams said it appeared soon after the anti-asylum protest in the town, adding, "I think there's an anti-racist majority in society, but at the moment it doesn't often feel like it".

Neil Mercer, a secondary school teacher from Swindon, helped paint over the graffiti

Two secondary school teachers from different schools in Swindon joined the group to paint over the graffiti.

Neil Mercer said he was "horrified" and alerted the media after discovering a red stencil graffiti message that read "vote EDL" near his home.

The English Defence League (EDL) was a far-right, anti-Islam, and anti-immigration group founded by Tommy Robinson in October 2010.

Cathy Urquhart said painting over the messages and the "solidarity" of the group made her feel "empowered".