Place of worship vandalised for a second time

Tess de la MareWest of England
News imageGoogle The Kingdom Hall, which is a one-storey building rendered with pale yellow plaster. It has three small windows, a sign which says "Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses" and a blue plaque which says JW.org.Google
The Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Minehead, a Christian place of worship, was also attacked in February

Graffiti has been sprayed on a place of worship used by Jehovah's Witnesses just weeks after the same venue was the target of another hate crime.

The Kingdom Hall on Mart Road, in Minehead, was sprayed with a term associated with the far right at some point between 14:00 GMT on Sunday and 06:00 on Monday.

The same building was damaged with paint and had dog faeces posted through the door along with a threatening letter between 15 and 18 February.

Avon and Somerset Police said it was carrying out additional patrols in the area while investigations into the incident, which is being treated as a hate crime, continue.

A man in his late 50s was arrested in connection with the first incident in late February, and bailed with conditions preventing him from visiting certain areas of Minehead.

Speaking after the latest incident, neighbourhoods' inspector Steve Jones said: "We do not tolerate hate in our communities, are taking this seriously, and would urge anybody with information which could assist our enquiries to contact us."

Investigators are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have relevant CCTV or doorbell footage.

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