Racist and sectarian Derry graffiti 'a hate crime'

The graffiti, some of which had messages referring to migrants and Catholics, appeared on houses at Church Brae

Racist and sectarian graffiti daubed on a number of properties in a new housing development in Londonderry is being treated as a hate crime, the police have said.

The incident happened sometime overnight on Sunday in Church Brae in the Waterside area of the city, the police have said.

PSNI Ch Insp McManus said the messages on the currently unoccupied houses were "totally unacceptable" and "will not be tolerated".

Several local politicians have also condemned the incident.

Some of the messages on the properties referred to the migrant community and Catholics being not welcome in the area.

The graffiti appeared on the front of four buildings.

Ch Insp McManus said that hate crime has no place in society.

"Be reassured, we will be relentless in our approach to identify those involved," the officer said.

Democratic Unionist Party assembly member Gary Middleton said the graffiti was deeply concerning.

He urged anyone with information to contact police.

Sinn Féin's Christopher Jackson described it as an "attempt to intimidate people and families from living in brand new homes".

Sinn Féin councillor Christopher Jackson says it is "an attempt to intimidate people and families from living in brand new homes"

“This is the latest vile and hate-driven attempt to intimidate people and families from living in brand new homes," Mr Jackson added.

Ulster Unionist Party councillor Darren Guy, the city's deputy mayor, also said the graffiti was not acceptable.

“The recent upsurge in racism across various parts of Northern Ireland is a stain on our society and should be condemned by all," the Waterside councillor said.

"People just want to live their lives in peace."

There have been a number of attacks on homes and businesses across Northern Ireland in recent weeks following anti-immigration protests.

Speaking after the incident, Social Democratic and Labour Party councillor Sean Mooney has said there “can be no place for racist or sectarian intimidation in the city”.

He described the incident as “extremely disheartening” and said it was a clear "attempt to intimidate”.