Graffiti on front doors in Bootle - Police appeal for information
Merseyside Police is appealing for community information after graffiti was found in the Bootle area last week. Around 10.55am on Thursday, 29 September, officers attended the Peel Road area of Bootle and found a number of swastika symbols on front doors, walls and garages in Peel Road and Percy Road. Working with Sefton Council, One Vision Housing and Riverside Housing, the graffiti was removed and a letter drop was carried out in the local area to encourage people to come forward with information on this incident and other issues affecting them. Neighbourhood Inspector Ian Jones said: "I would urge anyone who witnessed this incident to speak with us immediately, as I know from speaking to residents locally that people saw this graffiti and were understandably disgusted. Nobody wants to live in an area where damage is caused to people's properties in such a way. "This action forms part of our larger commitment to tackling hate crime in all its forms and we want the message to be clear to victims and offenders that offences targeting disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or Trans people will not be tolerated by Merseyside Police. "The Bootle Neighbourhood team and our partners are committed to improving issues in the area, from anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and other criminality. A great deal of work goes on daily between police and our partners, from crime prevention to intervention and education with young people in the community. But so much more is possible when communities call us. Help us identify the problems and we will act. However, information we get from the community is absolutely vital, and allows us to take robust action against those responsible. "There are many ways in which you can provide information to police and other authorities and I would urge people to speak with us whenever you have issues, in whichever way you choose. People can give us information in a number of ways, either through speaking to their neighbourhood officers, calling 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. "I would also encourage people to register with our new, free community messaging serviceMerseyNow, where we can keep you updated on community news and crime prevention advice." Cllr Trish Hardy, Cabinet Member Communities and Housing, said: “Graffiti of this nature is simply appalling and has no place in our communities. “If anyone has any information about this isolated incident, please come forward so those accountable can be dealt with. We will also pass any information on to Merseyside Police and hope we never see anything like this again." To see a list of local councillor surgery time please visit www.sefton.gov.uk for further details.
