Graffiti including racial slurs and swastikas has been removed after appearing on a series of buildings in Newburn over the weekend.
The graffiti was scrawled on the walls of assisted living facilities for adults with additional needs on Park Road, Newburn, and on signs for the former Kingdom Hall overnight on Saturday. Stickers with hateful messages appeared on bins near Newburn Manor School, while swastikas and graffiti of an anti-immigrant sentiment were seen in several locations in the suburb.
The graffiti was cleared up by Newcastle City Council on Monday morning, but not before local residents were subjected to it. The council said the graffiti “in no way reflects our values as a city”.
One residents said: “I think it’s disgusting that somebody would go around and spray hate messages on homes for disabled people. And kids could have seen all these hateful stickers on the bins, it’s terrible.”
Bernicia Homes runs the assisted living facilities for adults with additional needs which was targeted. A spokesperson for the housing provider said that they were “concerned” to find such graffiti on their property.
The spokesperson added: “Bernicia has zero tolerance towards hate crime. We will work with and help other agencies where we have evidence to take co-ordinated action when it is appropriate.
A Newcastle City Council spokesperson added: “We do not tolerate offensive graffiti and made immediate arrangements for this to be removed. The symbolism used in this act of vandalism in no way reflects our values as a city or the values of those who live here.
“We will always take swift action to remove offensive graffiti. Residents can report any incidents to us by calling 0191 278 7878 and asking for Your Local Services or by visiting our website.”
Northumbria Police confirmed that the force was treating the graffiti as a suspected hate crime. A spokesperson said: “We are aware of graffiti that has been daubed across the Newburn area over the past weekend.
“There is no place for behaviour like this in our communities and we take such offences very seriously. We are treating this as a suspected hate crime and anyone found to have been involved can expect to be dealt with swiftly and robustly.
“Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Report’ page of our website or by calling 101, quoting log NP-20240324-0351.”