Witnesses sought after racist slogans painted on Larne surgery
Police have launched an appeal for information after racist graffiti was painted at a Larne health centre.
“Locals only” appeared on a number of surfaces at Larne Medical Practice in the Gloucester Avenue area of the east Antrim town, along with swastikas.
PSNI officers received a report of criminal damage at the facility on Thursday, September 26.
Appealing for information, Inspector Ash said: “Racist graffiti was daubed on the wall of the property and we believe this was done overnight.
“At this time our Neighbourhood officers are making enquiries in relation to the matter, and we will be engaging with the local community and our partner agencies today to have the graffiti removed.
“Anyone with information that may assist our enquiries should contact police on 101 or submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport
"Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/"
The Department of Health branded the incident “totally unacceptable.”
Responding to the Larne Times, a Departmental spokesperson said: “Racism, in any shape or form, is not something that any one in HSC should have to endure. We want to send a clear message, from the very top of our health and social care system, that such behaviour is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We fully recognise and respect the hard work, commitment and dedication of HSC staff from within the BAME community. “The Department recognises and welcomes the increasing number of medics from a diverse range of backgrounds who are coming to train in Northern Ireland. Accordingly, the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency is working with trainee representatives and the HSC Trusts to provide the necessary support for these medics, and their families, as they settle in to life in Northern Ireland and pursue their careers in the HSC.
“All GP Practices, like every other HSC setting across Northern Ireland, are available to everyone in the community regardless of ethnicity or background.”
The incident has been strongly condemned by elected representatives.
Posting on social media on September 26, East Antrim Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said: “I am sickened to see this on a GP practice in Larne this morning.
"Many families in the town will have relatives that fought and died fighting the Nazis and their twisted ideology.
"We need overseas medical staff to come and work in our Health Service to provide care for people here.”
East Antrim DUP MLA Gordon Lyons explained: “This is a despicable attack on Larne Health Centre and the dedicated staff who work there.
"To use the symbol of Nazi fascism is an insult to all those whose loved ones fought and died for our freedoms and liberties in WW2.
"Our health service relies on overseas workers to function, and I cannot imagine that those responsible for this reprehensible attack would turn down treatment for themselves or their families if they required it.
“I condemn this behaviour in the strongest possible terms and urge anyone with information to contact the PSNI on 101.”