Saturday, October 10, 2015

Kings Heath: Pensioner arrested over racist graffiti

Community activist Luke Holland and (inset) some of the graffiti.
Community activist Luke Holland and (inset) some of the graffiti.
A pensioner has been arrested in connection with racist graffiti that was repeatedly daubed in Kings Heath High Street.
The 75-year-old was detained on Tuesday, October 6, after messages were scrawled on a bus stop and telephone kiosk earlier this year.
His bail conditions included a ban on carrying marker pens and entering the high street at night.
Pc Andy Collis, of Moseley and Kings Heath Neighbourhood team, said: “Following a CCTV trawl and pro-active patrols in the area, a 75-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage.
“The local man was arrested on Tuesday and bailed with strict conditions which include a ban on him entering Kings Heath High Street at night and carrying marker pens at any time.”
The first messages were spotted by community activist Luke Holland on a bus stop in February.
He changed their meaning from negative to positive, turning one from: “No more mosquess (sic)” to “more mosquess”
He also added a peace sign and a heart to illustrate his point.
Luke, 18, from Kings Heath, said: “I had never seen racist graffiti before.
“I have seen rude pictures on the bus but nothing like that.
“I thought just: ‘Change that and make peace and love’.”
Messages were also left at a bus stop between May 15 and 18 and between June 3 and 10, on a telephone kiosk.
Luke added: “It affected me.
“It’s not something I like reading on the street everyday, it’s my community too.”
For more information on hate crimes, including an online reporting facility, visit:www.report-it.org.uknes

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