Vile racist graffiti sprayed on toddlers’ playground as mindless vandals destroy park

Vile racist graffiti was sprayed on a playground in Middleton in a spate of mindless vandalism which also saw fires set on Thursday night (3 August).

The graffiti was sprayed over the climbing frame of the infants’ playground on King George’s Park, whilst the surface of the playground had been ripped up.

Several fires had also been set in the Moorclose estate park, including on the picnic benches.

The graffiti and fire rubble has since been removed by the local authority, and the incident reported to the police.

 

 

East Middleton councillor Dylan Williams has condemned the hate crimes and is urging any residents who might have seen anything, or who have CCTV backing onto the park, to report it to the police.

Identical graffiti is also understood to have been sprayed on the Exedra in Jubilee Park near St Leonard’s Church earlier this year. The Edgar Wood sculpture has been subject to arson attacks in the past.

Speaking on Friday (4 August), Councillor Williams said: “Terry [Smith, another East Middleton ward councillor] and I went to this park this morning as sadly there was mindless vandalism and arson last night.

“The picnic benches were set on fire as were other sections of the park. The infants’ playground was also ripped up in parts and vile racist graffiti sprayed all over the infants’ climbing frame.

“Lots of residents’ gardens back onto the park, so this could have been much worse: if you know anything or have any footage, please report it to the police.”

If you have any information about the graffiti or fires, please report to Greater Manchester Police on 101.

Alternatively, information can be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.