Chippy owner 'scared for children' after graffiti

Mohammed 'Darin' Ahmed said he has been flooded by well-wishers since the incident

A chip shop owner whose business was targeted by graffiti vandals said he has had "so many calls" from locals to reassure him he is part of the community.

The word "England" was sprayed over the shutters of Poseidon's Fish Bar in Bentley, Doncaster - a takeaway run by Mohammed 'Darin' Ahmed, who fled Iraq for the UK 26 years ago.

The father-of-two said he was "deeply hurt" by the graffiti and scared for his young children, who were born and raised in South Yorkshire.

Mr Ahmed told the BBC: "To me, the vandalism sounded like 'you're not welcome here - you need to leave'."

He said his was the only shop on the road that was targeted

He added: "I felt really sad."

Mr Ahmed, 47, discovered the paint on a Saturday 13 September.

"It was just my shop - opposite me there are 50 or 60 shops and it was just mine that was targeted," he said

CCTV footage shows a mean wearing a hoodie and trainers walking briskly towards Poseidon's Fish Bar then painting the word "England" before crossing the road and walking off.

Mr Ahmed said he did not know why it had happened but that "things have escalated" since the increased prevalence of St George's flags being used as a symbol of protest about immigration.

He also said he employs 11 staff across his two businesses and "treats everyone the same".

Mr Ahmed said: "I was very surprised because I have never felt anything bad or different until two weeks ago when it happened.

"But now I have a little fear inside me. People are friendly and lovely and I have a laugh and banter with all my customers."

Mr Ahmed's children are three and nine and he said: "I feel they are not safe and they might not understand, but I do and I think they will have problems in the future.

"Since the incident I have had so many calls from people assuring me that I am part of this country and not everyone is like the person who did it.

"They wanted to say we are saying sorry on his behalf," he added.

The BBC has contacted South Yorkshire Police for a statement.

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