Police Investigate Racist Attack on King Street's Polish Centre

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Local people respond with messages of support and solidarity

Hammersmith and Fulham Police are investigating a racist graffiti attack on the Polish Social and Cultural Centre in Hammersmith's King Street and have moved to protect the local Polish community.

On their twitter feed @MPSHammFul, police said: " We are investigating the racially motivated criminal damage on a building in King St Hammersmith W6. Any witnesses & info pls call 101.

"And following the incident in King St #Hammersmith #W6 we have also increased our patrols in the area."

The police statement followed the discovery of a racist message daubed on the front windows of the Polish Social and Cultural Centre, or POSK, on Sunday morning. It has since been cleaned off.

Local politicians were quick to condemn the incident. Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter tweeted @HammersmithAndy: " This is an outrageous act that disgusts not only me and the Polish community but everyone in Hammersmith & Fulham.

" We are proud in west London to be the centre for the Polish community in the UK and the home of @posklondon."

The MP added: " @posklondon was founded by the generation who fought with Britain against Nazism and who helped build our inclusivity and prosperity."

Greg Hands, MP in neighbouring Chelsea and Fulham, echoed his words, calling the attack "disgraceful" and tweeting @GregHands: " Further, let us all say it loud & clear that Poles are incredibly welcome in the UK & the word "Solidarity" never felt more appropriate. "

Cllr Sue Fennimore, speaking for H&F Council tweeted @SueFennimore: " @LBHF utterly condemn it. We are appalled."

On Friday, following the result of Thursday's EU Referendum, H&F Council Leader Stephen Cowan released what he called a "warm message of friendship" to all EU citizens living in the borough, saying: " " We will do everything we can to ensure all of the borough’s EU residents feel as welcome today, and each day thereafter, as they did yesterday."

You can read his full message here.

Following the attack, many local people have taken to social media to express their disgust and send messages of support to the centre.

On Sunday POSK's Chair Joanna Mludzinska released a video saying: " We were very disturbed and upset this morning to find really unpleasant grafitti all across the front of our building. The police are investigating this as a racially motivated crime but we have been moved and are extremely grateful to our local councillors, MPs and and our neighbour who have come in to offer support."

The Polish Embassy also responded @PolishEmbassyUK: " Thank you for solidarity with #PolesinUK following incident in Hammersmith this morning. We are in contact with @posklondon and local police."