VILE anti-Semitic and racist graffiti has been painted over cars and garages.

The graffiti shows Swastikas, racist slogans, and homophobic messages plastered across vehicles and garage walls across Canvey.

Essex Police stated that they had received eight reports of graffiti, which was spread over cars and garages in Ferrymead, Lincoln Way and Southwalter in red spray paint.

The force also stated that the graffiti is being treated as a hate crime.

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A spokesman for Essex Police, said: "Officers are going door-to-door to reassure residents in Canvey after a spate of anti-Semitic, racist and homophobic graffiti in the early hours of this morning, Sunday 10 November.

"Between officers from Castle Point and Rochford’s Community Policing Team and our volunteer Active Citizens, over 250 houses have been visited over the course of today as our enquiries continue.

"It is believed that the damage occurred between midnight and 5am on Sunday morning.

"If you would like to make a report, but would prefer to remain anonymous, you can speak to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or submit a report through their website.

"If you’ve been a victim of hate crime, you can read about ways to report it or get support on our website: https://www.essex.police.uk/hatecrime."

Sergeant Victoria Jarvis, of Castle Point and Rochford’s Community Policing Team, said: “This marks an incredibly sad day for Canvey Island.

"This community has welcomed people of all backgrounds, races and religions, and for someone to publicly declare hatred of certain members of society, and damage property in doing so, is unacceptable.

“We’ve been working closely with residents to raise awareness of hate crime, gather information, and have maintained a visible presence in the area to deter any further criminal activity.

“If you have any information at all about this incident then I would urge you to do the right thing and call my officers through 101. The incident number to quote is 307 of 10 November.

“We’re particularly keen to speak to a man who was seen in Southwalters between 2.15am and 3.45am. He is described as being white, around 6ft 2ins tall and wore a light-coloured jacket, jogging bottoms and trainers with a reflective strip on the back. ”