Graffiti around Bognor Regis is a hate crime, say police

The latest of a series of incidents saw the graffiti sprayed in subways in Gordon Avenue, Hotham Park and Orchard Way on April 12.

It followed reports of an earlier piece of offensive graffiti in the Gordon Avenue subway on March 18.

Five pieces of graffiti around Hotham Park and the Gordon Avenue and Orchard Way subways were reported to the police on February 27.

The graffiti - which mentions Eastern Europeans - is considered to be racially offensive and is being investigated by Sussex Police as a hate crime.

Sergeant Rachel Glenton, of Bognor’s neighbourhood policing team, said: “Graffiti of this nature is offensive and we are committed to finding the offender or offenders.

“The graffiti includes various slogans which we believe are racially motivated.

“This can cause considerable fear among members of the targeted community and local residents.”

She has appealed for anyone with information about the person behind the graffiti to contact the police.

“Sussex Police is committed to reducing all forms of hate crime and we are working closely with the local community and partner agencies to combat it,” said Sgt Glenton.

A hate crime is any criminal offence perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by prejudice or hate.

Any information to Sussex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.