Community centre is trashed in ‘racist and antisemitic’ attack
Photographs of the Spring Hill Community Centre in Accrington showed the extent of the vandalism after two break-ins
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
As community centre in Lancashire has been completely trashed with swastikas and antisemitic sketches being drawn on walls.
Photographs of the Spring Hill Community Centre in Accrington showed the extent of the vandalism, which also saws doors smashed, furniture broken, paint emptied on to the floor, and a selection of Islamic children’s books thrown to the floor.
Swastikas were painted on walls, which another openly antisemitic sketch featured an image of a man with a big nose and a Star of David.
We strongly condemn the vile racist vandalism of the Springhill Community Centre in Accrington.
Vandals daubed Nazi swastikas and racist anti-Jewish cartoons on the walls, smashed windows.
Tell MAMA is liaising with Lancashire Police further. https://t.co/uB5lwpFAwA
— Tell MAMA UK (@TellMamaUK) May 9, 2023
The Lancashire Telegraph reported that police were called on two separate occasions to break-ins at the community centre which is is managed by a group of dedicated volunteers who raise funds to help to keep it going.
Police had earlier arrested two people over a break in at the weekend, but a second break-in on the Monday led to the whole centre being trashed.
Shamim Miah, who helps to run the centre alongside his wife said the incidents had left people scared.
“We are speechless. It is so distressing and demoralising,” he said.
“The racist graffiti is upsetting. We have Muslim children who attend the nursery.
“There is so much anger and hate that has gone into this.”
Lancashire Police said they were called at around 3.15pm on May 8 to a report of burglary at Spring Hill Community Centre.
Two 17-year-old boys were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary. Both have since been released on bail.
Regarding the earlier incident on Saturday (May 8) police said they were called at around 8.40pm on Saturday (May 6) to a report of a burglary at same location.
Officers found a significant amount of damage had been caused to the centre and anti-Semitic graffiti had been drawn on the walls.
Following enquiries, on Sunday police arrested a 16-year-old boy, a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl on suspicion of burglary.
Tell MAMA UK tweeted:” We strongly condemn the vile racist vandalism of the Springhill Community Centre in Accrington.
“Vandals daubed Nazi swastikas and racist anti-Jewish cartoons on the walls, smashed windows.
“Tell MAMA is liaising with Lancashire Police further.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.