A Bingham family is living in fear after racist slogans were daubed on their pathway and a metal cross covered in ham was left outside their door.
A Bingham family is living in fear after racist slogans were daubed on their pathway and a metal cross covered in ham was left outside their door.
The family, which does not want to be identified, has suffered a number of racist incidents since moving to the town in October. The latest incident happened on Saturday morning when offensive graffiti was sprayed on to the pathway outside the house attacking Islam and Muslims. It was removed by the council on Tuesday.
A few weeks earlier there was a knock on the door and the father opened it to find a cross has been left leaning against it. The cross had been covered in ham and it fell into the house. Muslims do not eat ham or other pig products as it is forbidden in Islam.
There are two sons, aged eight and 10, who moved with their 32-year-old mother to Bingham after she split from their father. But the father came to stay with his family in Bingham when the problems started.
Speaking to the Journal, he said: “My wife fears for her life and the kids hate it. They have never suffered racism before and they should not have to. I wish they would leave my wife and kids out of this. They are cowards. I have to stay here to protect my property.”
He said other incidents had involved his eldest son being elbowed and smoke blown in his face in the Market Place.
On another occasion his wife was walking the children back from school when a group of people started making hand gestures at them not far from the house. And last Monday a small rock was thrown at the house.
The father said: “It’s difficult to stay here and not take any action. The police have been excellent and the fire brigade have put in fire-proof letter boxes. The neighbours have been very good and the local churches have got together and supported us.”
A 13-year-old boy has been arrested by police in connection with the cross and graffiti incidents and released on bail. He was also arrested on suspicion of shouting racial abuse at the mother on December 3 and throwing a stone at their window on December 4, as well as daubing graffiti on a restaurant in Market Place and throwing bricks at another in earlier incidents.
Officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team have been making regular visits to the family after it reported hate crime incidents. A police spokesman said: “Enquiries are ongoing and police continue to work with affected parties and local residents to establish who is responsible. Increased patrols have been mounted to provide reassurance and officers have been conducting house-to-house enquiries and working very closesly with the victims to ensure they are safe.
“Hate crime is completely unacceptable in any degree or form and Nottinghamshire Police takes any incidents of this nature incredibly seriously.”
The mother has moved back to West Bridgford with one of the children. The father said the family will not stay in Bingham.