Council leader condemns those responsible for Birtley graffiti
Gateshead Council received reports of racist and otherwise offensive graffiti in the Barley Mow area of Birtley at the weekend.
Councillor Martin Gannon, the Leader of Gateshead Council, has made a media statement condemning the graffiti which has since been cleaned up from around the affected homes.
He said:
"The racist graffiti that appeared in Gateshead over the weekend is completely unacceptable and the council has acted to remove this.
"There's no place in our borough for intimidation, discrimination and hate. It's heartening to see that the local community have rallied round to support those affected, and you have our support too. That's the true Gateshead.
"And I have a message for the perpetrators - if you think there's anything patriotic in daubing messages of hate under the cover of our national flag then you couldn't be more wrong. There's nothing British, nothing English, and nothing Gateshead about what you've done. You're debasing our flag and debasing our borough. You're a disgrace and I hope the police catch you soon and you feel the full force of the law.
"Gateshead residents can be confident that any graffiti like this will be dealt with swiftly and effectively. We'll also deal with signage or roundabouts that have been defaced. This may take a little longer because, unlike the cowards who vandalise under the cover of darkness, we have to remove it safely for both road users and our staff.
"For flags that have been hung on lampposts we will remove any that are causing an obstruction or which are dangerous. If there are others that aren't causing an immediate problem, we will take them down when they get tatty as a ragged flag hanging from a lamppost shows no respect for our flag or our country.
"Our flag is a symbol of what makes England great. We are at our best when we come together as a united, inclusive and diverse nation. As the Prime Minister said at the weekend, we will never surrender to those who want to try to use it as a symbol of violence, fear and division. In any event they will fail because England is better than that. Gateshead is better than that."
Gateshead Council received reports of racist and otherwise offensive graffiti in the Barley Mow area of Birtley at the weekend.
Councillor Martin Gannon, the Leader of Gateshead Council, has made a media statement condemning the graffiti which has since been cleaned up from around the affected homes.
He said:
"The racist graffiti that appeared in Gateshead over the weekend is completely unacceptable and the council has acted to remove this.
"There's no place in our borough for intimidation, discrimination and hate. It's heartening to see that the local community have rallied round to support those affected, and you have our support too. That's the true Gateshead.
"And I have a message for the perpetrators - if you think there's anything patriotic in daubing messages of hate under the cover of our national flag then you couldn't be more wrong. There's nothing British, nothing English, and nothing Gateshead about what you've done. You're debasing our flag and debasing our borough. You're a disgrace and I hope the police catch you soon and you feel the full force of the law.
"Gateshead residents can be confident that any graffiti like this will be dealt with swiftly and effectively. We'll also deal with signage or roundabouts that have been defaced. This may take a little longer because, unlike the cowards who vandalise under the cover of darkness, we have to remove it safely for both road users and our staff.
"For flags that have been hung on lampposts we will remove any that are causing an obstruction or which are dangerous. If there are others that aren't causing an immediate problem, we will take them down when they get tatty as a ragged flag hanging from a lamppost shows no respect for our flag or our country.
"Our flag is a symbol of what makes England great. We are at our best when we come together as a united, inclusive and diverse nation. As the Prime Minister said at the weekend, we will never surrender to those who want to try to use it as a symbol of violence, fear and division. In any event they will fail because England is better than that. Gateshead is better than that."
