‘Racist' vandalism inquiry continues

A police investigation is ongoing after a statue of Sunderland-born General Henry Havelock was vandalised – with the words ‘racist’ and ‘parasite’ sprayed across it.

Northumbria Police confirmed to the Echo that inquiries are continuing one month after the statue, situated in the city’s Mowbray Park, was targeted by vandals.

Before the incident, the statue had been added to the 'Topple the Racists' list, which feature monuments campaigners claim ‘celebrate slavery and racism’, after a statue of slave trader, Edward Colston, was pushed into a river in Bristol.

The Henry Havelock statue was vandalised with red paint scrawled across the base with the words ‘racist’ and ‘parasite’ written on the front and side.

Sunderland City Council workers were called to clean the graffiti on the morning of Tuesday, June 16 and the statue has not been targeted by vandals again.

A number of petitions had been launched prior to the attack on the Change.org website. One called for a review into the statue and another called the statue to be protected from harm.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said previously: “Shortly after 9am on Tuesday, June 16, we received a report of criminal damage in Mowbray Park, Sunderland. It was reported that overnight offenders had defaced a statue with graffiti.

“An investigation is ongoing into the incident. Anyone with information is asked to ring 101 or contact us via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website quoting ref 192 160620.”