AN incident of graffiti in Lyme Regis being treated as hate crime has been described as ‘appalling’ and ‘sickening’ by the mayor.
Dorset Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward after graffiti appeared on the gazebo, pathway and steps in Langmoor Gardens overnight on Friday 11 November.
Some of the graffiti had a racial or anti-Semitic element.
The graffiti was removed by Lyme Regis Town Council workers on Monday morning.
Police Constable Kirsti Frecknall, of West Dorset police, said: “Dorset Police takes hate crime extremely seriously and we are committed to identifying those responsible.
“We are working with Lyme Regis Town Council and following all possible lines of enquiry available to us and I would urge anyone with information that might assist our investigation to please come forward.”
Lyme Regis mayor, Cllr Michaela Ellis, said: “The council is appalled by this incident of racist and anti-Semitic graffiti in Lyme Regis, which no one should have to witness, and strongly condemns those responsible.
“Council workers have acted as promptly as possible to remove the graffiti and we thank Dorset Police for their proactive and swift response in dealing with this matter.
“This kind of behaviour is sickening at any time, but to have happened on Remembrance weekend is even more distressing.
“If anyone sees any similar incidents of graffiti around the town, please report it to the council or the police so we can act together against racism and discrimination.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220184003.
Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.