The Lancashire Evening Post has reported on a racist attack which took place last week on a Muslim-run community centre in Preston.

From the LEP:

“Vandals struck at a Preston community centre and daubed the walls with racist graffiti.

“The Hamaara Centre, at the rear of Castleton Road, Deepdale, Preston, was broken into and windows and furniture were smashed by the offenders.

“The centre, which is run by Preston Muslim Forum, is used for English classes, youth clubs and mother and toddler groups.

“The vandals…caused extensive damage including the smashing of windows and damaging the table tennis table, snooker table, storage cupboard and furniture and toys used by the mother and toddler group.

“Paint was also sprayed on the walls and racist graffiti including the Nazi Swastika symbols was scrawled all over the walls.

“Vali Patel, from Preston Muslim Forum who runs the Hamaara Centre, said: “It breaks your heart to see this type of mindless vandalism.

““The only losers in this case are children, young people and women who use this centre for various positive activities.”

“Coun Anis Faruki, councillor for the St George’s ward who lives in Deepdale, said: “The racist graffiti is the most worrying part of the whole thing as far as I am concerned as it demonstrates not just anti-social behaviour, but a lack of community cohesion as well.”

“PC Susan Proffitt from Preston Police, said: “This is a nasty crime in which a voluntary community centre has been deliberately targeted.

““The offenders have caused mindless destruction, throwing paint over the walls and damaging property that was donated by the local community.””

Only last week, it was reported that a mosque in Wakefield was vandalised with offensive graffiti.

Our revamped website provides a facility for logging anti-Muslim hate crimes. You can find out more here.