A FATHER has hit out after police initially refused to class a swastika chalked in graffiti outside his home as a hate incident or crime.

Monty Elnadi, who lives in the Riverdene area of Basingstoke, reported to police the symbol - commonly associated with the far-right - had been daubed on the pavement outside the back door of his family’s home.

However, Mr Elnadi has said the graffiti, which had been discovered by his son on his paper round at around 6.45am on Friday, July 14, would not be reported as a hate crime or hate incident and instead was initially put down to anti-social behaviour.

Mr Elnadi and his family are Muslims and he believes the symbol was deliberately left outside his home.

Continued on page 2 Hampshire Constabulary has since confirmed to the Gazette the incident is now being treated as a racially aggravated hate crime. Officers visited Mr Elnadi on Tuesday evening to confirm this to him in person, after the Gazette had contacted Hampshire Constabulary for comment.

Mr Elnadi, who reported the incident in person at the Police Investigation Centre, in Viables Business Park, said: “It was said to me repeatedly that it was just anti-social behaviour but it is very clear what it means.

“I was told it is a Buddhist symbol which of course it is but everyone knows what it is used for now more commonly. The person who put it there knows what it means.

“It is concerning because you feel targeted and you think, what will it be next? Could it be an acid attack or something like that? That is why you want the police to class it as a hate crime, to have it recorded should anything else happen in future.”

Mr Elnadi added though he is pleased the incident has now been upgraded he still feels initially ‘fobbed off’ when reporting the incident.

The sign had been near washed away by Wednesday evening.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokeswoman said: “The report was taken, and after the information was reviewed that morning, the incident was classified as a racially aggravated hate crime.

“The victim has been visited by an officer who has reassured him that this is being investigated as an incident of hate crime.

“House to house enquiries have been conducted in the area and local officers have been briefed on the incident and will be paying particular attention to the area whilst out on patrol.

“Anyone with information should contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101 quoting 44170270004.”