Teen arrested as part of hate crime probe

Offensive stickers put up around Blackpool may have been printed professionally in the town, police believe.
Graffiti on a bus stop outside Ocean Tyres on Lytham Road, South ShoreGraffiti on a bus stop outside Ocean Tyres on Lytham Road, South Shore
Graffiti on a bus stop outside Ocean Tyres on Lytham Road, South Shore

In recent months, around 60 anti-Islamic stickers have been removed from lamp-posts in Lytham Road and even further afield.

Insp Russel Farrand last week told The Gazette the acts, along with the spraying of Nazi swastikas on shop fronts in South Shore, were ‘hate crimes’ and would not be tolerated.

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Officers have since arrested a 17-year-old boy in relation to the daubed symbols, but are still trying to track down those behind the sticker campaign and no longer believe the two acts are linked, The Gazette understands.

The council washed the swastika off, one member of pharmacy staff saidThe council washed the swastika off, one member of pharmacy staff said
The council washed the swastika off, one member of pharmacy staff said

The Blackpool teen, held on suspicion of criminal damage, has been bailed until November 9.

“The wording of these stickers is extremely offensive,” Insp Farrand said.

““We want to make it clear to those responsible that they will be caught and they will be dealt with as robustly as the law allows.”

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Insp Farrand said the posters had initially appeared in the area close to St Heliers Road but had spread around Blackpool.

Graffiti outside St Mary's Pharmacy in Lytham Road, South ShoreGraffiti outside St Mary's Pharmacy in Lytham Road, South Shore
Graffiti outside St Mary's Pharmacy in Lytham Road, South Shore

“We want to encourage people to keep their eyes open. If they spot one of these they need to let us know,” he added.

“We have already had some success and are awaiting a charging decision on one individual.

“But we want to find out who has been posting and producing these stickers.”