CCTV appeal after vandals spray racist graffiti across Preston

Police have released CCTV footage of two people they would like to speak to after racist graffiti was daubed on buildings around the city.

The footage released today (June 4) shows two people walking down a street before one of them stops to vandalise a nearby wall.

Detectives have branded the incident a "hate crime", adding they have received "several" reports of racially aggravated criminal damage in Preston City Centre, Ashton and Plungington.

Police are now urging anybody with information to come forward.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: "Hate crimes are taken very seriously, and we would urge members of the public who may recognise these individuals or have any further information regarding these incidents to contact us."

Anybody with information can contact police by calling 101 or via their website by clicking HERE, quoting log number 0482 of May 25.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

Graffiti depicting Nazi symbolism and racist slurs on Eldon Street bridge was reported by local residents on May 26.

Further instances of racist vandalism were also found at Winckley Square, Orchard Street, and Stocks Road.

Pav Akhtar, Preston Labour councillor for Plungtington, said the vandalism was "irresponsible, offensive and unacceptable", adding "symbols of racism and genocide have no place in Plungington or Preston".

He added: "I’ve covered up the Nazi symbols and anti-Black slurs as they’re objectionable to most in the community of Plungington, where I was born and raised, who have an understanding of our country’s history against Nazism."

Preston City Council said they had received a number of complaints about the graffiti and reacted quickly to remove it.

Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader of Preston City Council, said: "Racism and messages of hate have no place in Preston and I am grateful to those who came forward and reported this abhorrent graffiti as our city has a proud tradition of standing against all forms of prejudice.

"I’d urge anyone who sees something similar to report it to us so that it can be taken care of."