Police charge man, 22, over Turkish barbers’ graffiti
Northumbria Police have revealed that a 22-year-old man has been charged with four counts of criminal damage and possessing an offensive weapon after Turkish barbers across Sunderland were targeted with graffiti.
Officers investigating a spate of graffiti attacks against Turkish barbers in Sunderland have charged Sarbaz Rasul Khzri with four counts of criminal damage and possessing an offensive weapon.
Police arrested Khzri on Friday, after receiving intelligence that a premise on Sea Road was being targeted for the second time – and response cops were on the scene within five minutes.
When officers arrived at the scene shortly after 10.20pm, Khzri was found to be in possession of an axe and taken into custody.
Speedy Turkish Barber on Holmeside, Oscar Super Cutz on Fawcett Street, Jimmy's Barber Shop on Borough Road and Magic Scissors barbershop on the Sea Road had all been targeted with the vile abuse.
The graffiti for all incidents says “leave your shop, your problem for people” – with police saying the incidents happened between Tuesday, January 26 and Thursday, January 28.
Khrzi, of no fixed abode, will appear before magistrates in South Tyneside on March 11.
Chief Inspector Paul Walters, of Northumbria Police, said: “This type of offence
can cause a huge amount of upset and anger within our communities at a time when the overwhelming majority of people in the North East are pulling together.
“As soon as we were made aware of this spate of incidents, an investigation was launched and patrols were increased in identified areas in a bid to track down the person responsible.
“Those enquiries resulted in us detaining a suspect on Friday evening who has since been charged with numerous
offences and he will now appear before the courts.
“I would like to thank the victims and the wider community for their support and assistance in this case, as well as all our officers who were involved in the significant operation launched off the back of the vandalism.
“We will not tolerate crimes such as this, and would now ask the public to avoid speculation or comments on social media that could jeopardise the live court proceedings.”