'No place' for 'hateful' graffiti in town

Warning: Some people may find the content of this story offensive

Councillors have condemned racially motivated graffiti that was painted on a street.

The vandalism has now been removed from the side of a house in Broadgreen, Swindon, and police are investigating.

Councillor Adorabelle Amaral Shaikh, who represents the area, said in a Facebook post: "It has shocked me to see the words 'ETHNIC CLEANSE' on the side of the street my children were born and raised in."

In a joint statement, councillors from all four of the parties on Swindon Borough Council - Labour, Conservatives, Reform and Liberal Democrats - said "hateful and abusive" graffiti had "no place" in the town and its communities.

"We condemn this behaviour and the council will always do all it can working with Wiltshire Police to identify the criminals responsible," the joint statement said.

Shaikh, who became the first female South Asian councillor for Swindon Borough when she won her first election in 2019, said: "It shocks and saddens me that we still have a group of individuals that go around spreading hate and divide.

"Broadgreen is our home, I will always be proud to represent and protect it as a person of colour from a South Asian heritage."

Shaikh, who currently serves as Cabinet Member for Education, also referenced some "nasty discussions" she witnessed on the day of the local election polls "none of which", she said, "should have ever occurred".

Swindon South MP Heidi Alexander re-posted Shaikh's Facebook post with the comment: "Well said…there must be absolutely no place for this type of poison in Swindon."

Councillor Annabelle Pegado also commented on the incident in a separate Facebook post.

She wrote: "Disappointed to see this graffiti on a wall along County Road near the Magic roundabout.

"Swindon should be a community where people of every background, ethnicity, and faith feel safe and respected."

Wiltshire Police said it was actively investigating.

A spokesperson said: "We are aware of the offensive graffiti that was written on the wall of a property in the Broadgreen area of Swindon yesterday...it was removed at the first opportunity.

"We are aware of the concern that this will have had for those living nearby and we are liaising closely with community leaders, local councillors and representatives from the council to provide support and reassurance."

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