OUTRAGE OVER NAZI PAINT ATTACK
POLICE are investigating after Cardiff residents woke up to “utterly sick and disgusting” far-right graffiti daubed on buildings.
The vandalism, which included swastikas, the words “Nazi Zone” and offensive posters, was spotted by parents on the school run yesterday morning.
Greg Pycroft, from Grangetown, was on his way home from dropping his sons at nursery when he noticed the symbols and words on buildings near Grange Gardens.
He said: “I live close to the park and have lived in Grangetown for over 10 years and this is the first time I’ve seen this kind of graffiti and vandalism.
“The scale and brazenness of it was shocking, but its proximity to the local kids catching their bus to school this morning was the more upsetting, since a large number will be teenagers and they’ll know, or are beginning to understand the hatred behind that symbol.
“That was why I wanted it removed before home time.”
Mr Pycroft tweeted photographs of the graffiti, describing it as a “sad, sorry sight”.
Stephen Doughty, MP for Cardiff South and Penarth, replied to Mr Pycroft’s tweet, saying: “Utterly sick + disgusting – will be raising with @ swpolice @swpcardiff @cardiffcouncil immediately – far right extremism cannot be tolerated and not welcome in Cardiff. Full stop.”
Cardiff council said it condemned all graffiti “in the strongest possible terms” and was working with South Wales Police on the matter.
A spokeswoman said: “The offensive graffiti and fly-posting will be removed as quickly as possible.”
Meanwhile Chief Inspector Joe Jones, head of communities and partnerships at Cardiff Bay police station, said there would be a full investigation into the crime “with every intention of arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators”.
He said CCTV and house-to-house inquiries were under way, while the posters would be sent for forensic examination.
“Cardiff is a modern, vibrant and safe multi-cultural city where people of different religions, faiths and cultures live side by side in peaceful harmony and have done for many, many years,” he said.
“The vandalism of public buildings with such abhorrent racist graffiti is totally unacceptable criminal behaviour and it will not be tolerated.
“The offensive graffiti is in the process of being removed and there will be a full investigation into this crime.”
Meanwhile, organisers of an antiracism march in the city this weekend vowed the event would go ahead and send “a message of celebrating diversity” following the graffiti attack.
The Cardiff March Against Racism is due to take place today to mark the UN’s anti-racism day. There are also events planned in Glasgow and London. The Cardiff march starts from Grange Gardens, where the graffiti appeared.
A spokesperson for Stand Up to Racism Wales said: “We are shocked and appalled to hear that someone has spray painted racist graffiti at Grange Garden, Cardiff, on the eve of our United Nations Anti-racism day march which will start there.
“Sadly, we are not surprised at this latest act of aggression towards migrants and Muslims in particular in our city.
“Just this week Cardiff was one of several cities where people have received letters advertising a ‘Punish A Muslim Day.’
“This is more than likely the work of isolated individuals or a small group who choose to associate themselves with the swastika – a symbol of the systematic murder of millions of Jews, Roma, LGBT and disabled people during one of the darkest periods of European history.
“Our experience is that the majority of ordinary people in Cardiff and South Wales are welcoming and accepting of diverse cultures.
“Cardiff is a diverse and multicultural city since its birth, built on over a hundred years of immigration from Ireland, the Caribbean, Somalia, Portugal, China, Italy and countless other places. Our march is an expression of this culture and will go ahead in spite of this act of intimidation – racists will not divide us, we are the majority and we will stand up to racism.”
Joe Redmond, from Stand Up to Racism, said: “This act, especially as it has taken place where the march will start, shows it is a clear act of intimidation. Therefore, in many ways it makes this event even more important.”
Anyone with any information about the graffiti should ring police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.