Police investigate ‘Jewish lies matter’ graffiti in Brighton
Sussex authorities investigating the vandalism as a 'hate crime' as it said it 'understands distress and concern that this incident will cause'
Jack Mendel is the former Online Editor at the Jewish News.
Sussex Police is investigating antisemitic graffiti daubed in Brighton.
Local Jewish activists reacted with horror after the phrase “Jewish lies matter” was discovered on Tuesday by the sea front. Further vandalism was reportedly found on a nearby bench, with the location of the vandalism being close to three synagogues.
Sussex Police said on 17 November it was “made aware of antisemitic graffiti on a wall in Holland Road and on a bench on the Promenade at the end of Lansdowne Place, Hove. The force liaised with the city council and the words have been removed.”
Rachel Swinney Superintendent for Brighton and Hove and the Force Hate Crime lead said: “ I understand the distress and concern that this incident will cause, this matter is being dealt with as a Hate Crime and I want to offer reassurance and say that we take criminality of this nature very seriously. We are doing everything we can to progress this investigation.
“We continue to closely monitor Hate incidents, it remains a priority for us to identify and hold those responsible to account. I would ask the public to remain vigilant please report any incidents of hate crime to us without delay.”
“Anyone with information on this particular matter is asked to report it to police online or call 101 quoting reference 150 of 17/11.
The Community Security Trust said it was a “nasty, ugly example of antisemitic graffiti”, while a spokesperson for the Sussex Jewish Representative Council said: “We are very concerned to see this highly political, antisemitic graffiti on a wall in Brighton only minutes away from three synagogues.
“This is not the scrawling of a stupid kid but a targeted political message. This kind of incendiary language must be dealt with the utmost seriousness and we thank Sussex Police for their prompt attendance at the scene.”
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