Police have arrested a man after a Muslim woman and her child were allegedly racially abused by people painting St George’s crosses on buildings.
Footage widely circulated on social media shows two topless men painting red crosses on the white walls of flats above a row of shops and restaurants on a high street in Basildon, Essex.
As a third person filmed them and a young girl watches on, racial slurs are claimed to have been hurled as a Muslim woman wearing a headscarf gets out of her car and walks past with a child.
The row of shops, off Whitmore Way, features venues such as an Indian restaurant, a Chinese takeaway and a burger bar.
Essex Police has confirmed that a 33-year-old man, from Basildon, has been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and conspiracy to commit criminal damage.
The arrest comes after ‘multiple reports’ were lodged by the public following the video.
Basildon is one of the many places across the country where there has been a ‘patriotic outpouring’ in recent days, with St George’s and Union Jack flags flying high.
The flags have also been seen regularly at protests outside asylum seeker hotels, including in Epping, Essex and Canary Wharf, east London.
Police have arrested a man after a Muslim woman and her child were allegedly racially abused by people painting St George’s crosses on buildings
As a third person film them and a young girl watches on, racial slurs are hurled as a Muslim woman wearing a headscarf gets out of her car and walks past with a child
Basildon Council’s Labour leader Gavin Callaghan said on Saturday: ‘This week we’ve seen a large number of England and British flags put up across our borough.
‘I think it’s fantastic to see our flag flying proudly. It shows the pride that so many people feel in our country and our community.
‘I have been clear with officers at Basildon Council that we will not be taking down any flags.
‘The majority have been fixed to streetlamps, which are Essex County Council’s responsibility, and it will be for them to decide if they stay up or not. Personally, I hope they do.
‘But I want to be clear as well: there is a big difference between flying a flag and vandalism. Painting on people’s shops or council buildings isn’t patriotism, it’s criminal damage.
‘That isn’t the way to show love for your country. You’re not honouring England by vandalising Basildon. You’re not protecting your child’s future by racially abusing a passer-by.
‘Racism has no place in Basildon.’
Addressing the video, he said: ‘The video circulating of men painting a St George’s flag on the shops on Whitmore Way wasn’t just about a flag, it was laced with vile racist abuse aimed at a mum and her young child.
‘That is totally wrong and must be called out.’
Chief Inspector Paul Hogben said: ‘Regardless of anyone’s thoughts or views, causing damage by applying paint to people’s properties is clearly a criminal offence.
‘Aside from that simple fact, some of the language directed towards a member of the public in this incident was disgraceful.
‘I’m confident the vast majority of people in Essex share the view this language has no place in our county.
‘We’ve received numerous reports in relation to this matter and it’s only right that we acted upon them.
‘We always work to ensure the safety and security of everyone in Essex.
‘Behaviour like this does nothing to further any argument or make any valid point beyond harming our district and causing distress, alarm and fear to innocent people.’
