Essex Police said a 33-year-old man from Basildon has been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and conspiracy to commit criminal damage
A Muslim mum and her child were allegedly racially abused by people painting St George’s crosses on buildings.
Footage widely circulated on social media shows two topless men painting red crosses on the white walls of flats above a row of shops and restaurants in Basildon, Essex. Racial slurs are said to have been hurled as a Muslim woman wearing a headscarf gets out of her car and walks past with a child.
A 33-year-old man from Basildon has been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and conspiracy to commit criminal damage, police confirmed last night.
It is believed members of the public lodged “multiple reports” to Essex Police about such disorder on Saturday. Authorities said there is “no place for racism” in Basildon, an industrial town 27 miles east of central London.
The incident on Saturday, which happened by a row of shops including an Indian restaurant, a Chinese takeaway and a burger bar, occurred amid a “patriotic outpouring” in recent days, with St George’s and Union Jack flags flying high in towns across the UK.
But the Mirror this weekend reported on the chaos which has erupted across the UK as anti-migrant protesters stormed city streets over the use of asylum hotels, sparking widespread unrest and counter-demonstrations. St George’s and Union Jack flags have been seen at these protests, including one in Canary Wharf, east London.
Addressing the video, Basildon Council’s Labour leader Gavin Callaghan said: “The video circulating of men painting a St George’s flag on the shops on Whitmore Way wasn’t just about a flag, it was laced with vile racist abuse aimed at a mum and her young child. That is totally wrong and must be called out.
“Racism has no place in Basildon… You’re not honouring England by vandalising Basildon. You’re not protecting your child’s future by racially abusing a passer-by.”
Essex Police Chief Inspector Paul Hogben said: “Regardless of anyone’s thoughts or views, causing damage by applying paint to people’s properties is clearly a criminal offence. Aside from that simple fact, some of the language directed towards a member of the public in this incident was disgraceful.
“I’m confident the vast majority of people in Essex share the view this language has no place in our county. We’ve received numerous reports in relation to this matter and it’s only right that we acted upon them. We always work to ensure the safety and security of everyone in Essex.
“Behaviour like this does nothing to further any argument or make any valid point beyond harming our district and causing distress, alarm and fear to innocent people.”
At least 15 people were arrested following Sunday’s unrest across the UK – including 11 in Liverpool, three in Horley, and a 37-year-old woman in Bristol detained on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.