Antrim: Racist graffiti investigated at five sites

35 minutes ago By Claire Graham and Eimear Flanagan, BBC News NI BBC Racist graffiti has been sprayed at multiple sites in Antrim, just a week after eight families were intimidated out of their homes in the town. Swastikas have appeared in the Stiles estate, off Fountain Hill road and on the side of the old Antrim cineplex. The perimeter of a new housing estate has also been daubed with swastikas and refences to the neo-Nazi group Combat 18. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they are investigating five reports of racist graffiti and are treating them as racially motivated hate crimes. The area’s new MP, Robin Swann, has requested a meeting with officers to discuss the issue. Local residents have told BBC News NI it is “unnerving”. In a statement, police said they received reports of racist graffiti daubed on properties in five areas of the town between Sunday and Monday morning. The areas affected were Parkhall Road, Fountainhill, Craigmore Park, Market Street area and the Castle Mall. “Local police will work with partners to have the graffiti removed, and a noticeable policing presence will continue this week in and around the Antrim and wider area,” the...