Anti-Semitic graffiti is on the rise across Manchester with five incidents reported since the beginning of the month.
The graffiti has been sprayed across parts of Prestwich and Whitefield with police in Bury warning perpatrators that such acts will not go unpunished.
The vandalism has come as an upset to the Jewish community, many of whom live in areas targeted by vandals.
Inspector Mark Kenny, of the Bury south integrated neighbourhood policing team, said: “This is a repugnant criminal act which has taken place in the heart of the Jewish community.
“Greater Manchester Police will not tolerate such unacceptable acts of criminality and will deal with any reported hate crime in a robust manner.
“To those who engage in such acts and think it’s clever, my message is clear: we will track you down and prosecute you.”
High visibility patrols have increased in the area to deter further incidents as well as venturing into local schools and working with the Community Security Trust (CST) to educate communities on the impact of such incidents.
Inspector Kenny said: “I would strongly appeal to anyone who may have information about these incidents to contact their local police and tell us what you know.”
Mark Gardener, spokesperson for the Community Security Trust, added: “We would encourage anybody who sees a swastika daubing or has any information regarding who is behind this to report it to the police and to CST.
“This graffiti is highly offensive to the Jewish community as well as the wider public and we appreciate the seriousness with which Greater Manchester Police are treating these incidents.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Picture courtesy of Christopher Gollmar via Flickr, with thanks.
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