'Disgust and fear' over spate of 'racist' graffiti

Merseyside Police said the graffiti would be treated as a hate crime

Racist graffiti including swastikas was daubed in several public locations in the Sefton area prompting "disgust" and "fear" from residents.

The graffiti has been spotted in several locations on walls and canal bridges around Bootle and Litherland.

Merseyside Police said it was investigating the messages as a "hate crime" and said Sefton Council was in the process of having them removed.

A spokesperson for the force called the graffiti "sickening".

Swastikas and racist messages had been daubed across walls in Sefton

Alongside the Nazi symbols, messages included "send them home".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) residents had taken to community Facebook groups to express their anger.

One person who witnessed the graffiti on a canal bridge wall, wrote: "Every bridge [along the canal] had offensive and racist graffiti.

"I am absolutely sickened by this.

"We've reported it to the council but no doubt the absolute lowlife will just pop up and do more. Absolute idiots."

Merseyside Police added: "We will not tolerate racist and hateful graffiti being committed in our community and we are carrying out enquiries to find the perpetrators.

"It's sickening that people think this kind of behaviour is acceptable, and they can daub such racist graffiti which has upset and angered many locals in the area.

"Some of the graffiti is not only criminal damage, but it spreads hatred in the community.

"This hateful behaviour is deplorable and does not reflect the views of the community."

'Strongest possible action'

The force spokesperson added: "I would appeal to residents or anyone who may have information which could help us find those responsible to come forward.

"I also urge people to check your CCTV, doorbell and dashcam footage in the area to see if it has been captured the suspects in the act.

"We have a specialist team of officers who are dedicated to investigate any form of hate crime, and will actively look into all reports we receive and proactively investigate to bring offenders to justice.

"We will take the strongest possible action against those who have behaved in this unacceptable way."