“Heil Hitler” and swastika graffiti discovered in Poole

Graffiti of a swastika and the phrase “Heil Hitler”, as well as the logo of the British far-right National Front party, has been discovered in Poole.

The graffiti was scrawled on the wall of the underpass at the Ashdown Roundabout, near Asda. 

Rabbi Maurice Michaels of Bournemouth Reform Synagogue said: “It’s horrendous, really, to think that here in Bournemouth where the various faiths all work together closely and amicably, we should find that antisemitism has reared its ugly head again. It will make some members of the Jewish community afraid to put themselves around the place, because graffiti of this nature can so often lead to violence. We’ve certainly seen that in other places.”

A spokesperson for Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole Council said: “BCP Council is determined to tackle anti-social behaviour and graffiti and vandalism are illegal, anti-social activities. We are working with Dorset Police, security and Anti-Social Behaviours officers to address this.”

Image credit: Martin Byrne