Eglinton swastika graffiti being treated as hate-motivated criminal damage
A Derry councillor has urged parents to be vigilant after swastikas were daubed on property and street furniture in Eglinton.
The PSNI said it is treating the graffiti that has now been removed from property on Coolafinny Road, Mill Path and Ballygudden Road as hate-motivated criminal damage.
SDLP Councillor Declan Norris said the Nazi insignia had appeared in the village over recent weeks.
“Over the past couple of weeks, swastikas have been painted in various locations around Eglinton. Concerned residents have been out removing them, but over the weekend even more appeared, including on the recently painted UV Arts C.I.C bus stop, the bus stop opposite on the Coolafinney Road, the bus stop on the Ballygudden Road, and the DFI Rivers hut on the Ballygudden Road,” he said.
Alongside the swastikas racist vandals had also daubed the hate slogan ‘whites only’.
“This is completely unacceptable. Eglinton is not about hate. Our community works incredibly hard to make this village the beautiful place it is, and it is heartbreaking to see that work vandalised in this way.
“As a parent, if your child has come home with black paint on their clothes or has a can of black spray paint, please have a conversation with them. If they are involved, this needs to stop.
“If anyone knows who is responsible for this, please report it to the PSNI. There is no place for this kind of hate or vandalism in Eglinton or in any community,” said the Faughan representative.
The PSNI said that in addition to the hate graffiti it was aware of issues around anti-social behaviour, particularly in the Glenrandel and Mill Path areas.
"To local residents, be assured, we take these type of incidents seriously and you’ll see us on patrol to provide reassurance and deter further incidents from occurring.
"To those involved, we make this direct appeal. What you’re doing is not fun, it’s not harmless. The type of incidents being reported can have a really negative impact on local residents and the community. If you are identified as being involved, it could have serious repercussions,” police said.
Police asked anyone with information to call police on 101, or use the witness appeal form at https://orlo.uk/3jC0Z quoting reference number 1657 of 19/07/26. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800555111 or at https://orlo.uk/Prs6v