Anger after racist stickers found on park noticeboard
POLICE are investigating after “blatantly racist” stickers were found in a Southport park.
The stickers attributed to a white supremacist group known for far-right propaganda across the US and Europe, were found in Hesketh Park by Cllr Leo Evans.
They peddle conspiracy theories arguing against diversity and appearing to blame the coronavirus outbreak on immigrants.
Messages from the group have been put up in various public places around the country in locations including St Helens, York, Sunderland and Hull.
Cllr Evans saw the offensive signs while taking his daily exercise in the park last Wednesday and expressed his disgust at what he found.
He said: “I live just around the corner from the park and come here most days on my daily allowed exercise.
“The vast majority of people using the park are doing a great job of social distancing and it’s always a nice walk around the lake.”
“However, today I discovered a series of blatantly racist stickers placed on public signs in the park that are attempting to use the current crisis to forward their own agenda.”
He has since reported the findings to Sefton Council – which swiftly removed them, – and to Merseyside police.
Cllr Evans said: “These stickers are an absolute disgrace and whoever has put them up should be ashamed of themselves for attempting to use the fear and anxiety that everyone is feeling and turning it into a racist dog whistle.
“At a time when people are rallying together to combat this disease, we’ve seen thousands of rainbows going up in windows and the ‘Clap for Carers’ in a show of solidarity.
“But these racists will always seek to cause division where it is not needed. We will not accept hate like this in our town, not now, not ever.”
Southport Community Policing Inspector Graham Fisher said: “We have been made aware of a number of stickers that have been left in Hesketh Park in Southport.
“The stickers are in the process of being removed and inquiries are ongoing to establish where they came from and who placed them there. We know that such views do not reflect the wider community and we will be working with the local councillor and the community on this issue.
“These stickers are clearly unacceptable and we will ensure they are investigated thoroughly.
“There is no place in our society for hate crime so I would urge anyone in the community who has any information to contact our social media desk @MerPolCC, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 and we will take action.”
If people do not want to go through the police, they can contact third party reporting centres such as registered social landlords; Daisy UK, which specialises in disability hate crime reports, on 0800 694 2123; or Stop Hate UK, a 24/7 phone reporting line, on 0800 138 1625.