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Racists target bus stop in Sussex Avenue, Canterbury with anti-Semitic graffiti

16:43, 06 April 2023

updated: 16:46, 06 April 2023

Anti-Semitic graffiti at a bus stop has sparked concerns the community could be put in fear.

The racist vandal sprayed swastikas and the Star of David on the shelter in Sussex Avenue, Canterbury.

Anti-Semitic graffiti was sprayed on a bus stop in Sussex Avenue, Canterbury. Picture: Leonore Hamer
Anti-Semitic graffiti was sprayed on a bus stop in Sussex Avenue, Canterbury. Picture: Leonore Hamer

Ward councillor Dave Wilson says there is "no excuse" for the offensive vandalism.

"It is abhorrent and puts people in fear," the Labour representative said.

"Although Jewish people are the targets, that kind of aggressiveness by using a swastika is going to cause concern.

"The Jewish community requires our protection as well as the other minority communities in the district.

"It is impossible to stop it happening but if it happens again, I would hope the police and city council try to identify the culprits using CCTV as it is an activity that needs to be stopped before it spreads."

Cllr Dave Wilson says this type of vandalism "puts people in fear". Picture: Alan Langley
Cllr Dave Wilson says this type of vandalism "puts people in fear". Picture: Alan Langley

Cllr Wilson says those behind the graffiti are “in need of education”.

“Anybody who does that sort of thing and hasn’t realised what it leads to and the horrific consequences of hate crimes, they should go and see the sites at Dachau and Auschwitz and look at what that rhetoric leads to,” he said.

He adds this type of racist graffiti is "not a common occurrence" in the area.

"It has not happened in the four years I have been a councillor," he said.

"It is not representative of that area as there are a lot of service people down there and there are people from all backgrounds."

The graffiti was reported to Canterbury City Council yesterday and it was removed the same day.

Spokesman Rob Davies said: "I can confirm it was removed on the same day it was reported to us."

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