Forncett St Mary residents express horror after Ukraine flags are spray painted in Nazi graffiti

Villagers have expressed their horror at seeing Nazi symbolism spray-painted on Ukrainian flags.

Police officers believe that three reports involving swastikas being left on flags and a property over the last few days are linked.

Council officials have responded by condemning the incidents, which are being treated by the police as hate crimes, as “shocking” and “unacceptable”.

The first incident involved a swastika being spray-painted on to a Ukrainian flag and was reported to have happened in Cheney’s Lane, Forncett St Mary, between 8am on Friday and 5pm the next day.

A second incident, where a swastika was again sprayed on to a Ukrainian flag, occurred at a property in The Street, Shotesham All Saints, between 10.30pm on Sunday and 6.30am the next day.

A third incident was reported between the same times and location but at a different property, where the exterior wall had been vandalised, again with a swastika.

Forncett parish councillor Andrew Coleman condemned the vandalism in the strongest terms. He said: “I was shocked when I heard about it – I didn’t think that kind of thing went on round here.

“I’m sure everyone at the council would be disappointed to hear about it, too.

“We’re a nice, friendly village and people are welcome here, but not people who are going to cause aggro.”

A spokesman for South Norfolk Council added: “This is completely unacceptable behaviour.

“If anybody has any information, we urge them to get in contact with the police.”

Anyone with information should contact Pc Matthew Pummell at Norfolk Police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.