Islamophobic and racist graffiti is daubed on homes

RACIST graffiti has been daubed on at least three properties in the Barley Mow area of Birtley - with local councillors condemning what they called an "appalling" crime.

- By SAM VOLPE

Red flags were painted on white doors and even a car, while an Islamophobic slogan was painted on a garden fence.

The incidents are understood to have taken place overnight, with residents in the Dorset Avenue and York Road areas waking on Sunday to discover the vandalism.

Local councillors Paul Elliott and Joe Sowerby (both Liberal Democrat) hit out at the perpetrators of what they said were "acts designed to intimidate"

In a joint statement, the two councillors said: "These are criminal acts designed to intimidate. We encourage anyone with knowledge about the perpetrators to contact Northumbria Police.