Pickles urges swift council action to remove anti-Semitic graffiti

Eric Pickles has written to council leaders across the country to emphasise their powers to speedily remove anti-Semitic graffiti including when private property is daubed.

This summer saw a significant rise in incidents targeting the Jewish community included a spate of graffiti on public property, gravestones and on private homes.

Communities Secretary Pickles, who is writing to the council chiefs along with CST chief executive David Delew, said: “A particularly pernicious expression of anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred is the daubing of slogans or symbols, via graffiti or the fixing of stickers and posters. A visible display of hate can increase tensions between communities, as well as providing a physical reminder to the victim of the abuse they have suffered.

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“We must all continue to stand unified against all forms of hatred be it antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred, racism or homophobia, whatever its manifestation, whether it is expressed on social media, as a physical attack, as a verbal threat, or in any other manner.”

Under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, local authorities have the powers to swiftly remove any physical sign of hatred on any property.

The cabinet minister also stressed that it is incumbent on local councils to report and record anti-Semitic and other racist daubings.

Hate crime can be reported to the police through normal channels, or through the True Vision website (www.report-it.org.uk). To report antisemitism to the CST call 0208 457 9999 or via their website (www.cst.org.uk).