Birmingham: Residents furious after homophobic graffiti spray-painted on flat
Police in Birmingham have launched an investigation after homophobic graffiti appeared on a flat in the Sutton Coldfield part of the city.
Residents in Four Oakes say there were horrified to see anti-gay comments consisting of “No queers”, “batty boy” and “No paedos” spray-painted on walls and windows on a property in Badgers Bank Road.
West Midlands Police are treating the incident as a suspected hate crime.
Resident Paul Burke told the Sutton Coldfield Observer: “We have been here for two and a half years and I’m personally offended, it’s not what I would expect from the community around here, not to say that someone on the estate has done it.
“I’m not aware of any untoward behaviour or bad feelings here; it’s so shocking to see.
“The nature of this graffiti is in bad and poor taste and not in-keeping with the small community within Badgers Bank, who warmly welcome people of all ages from the young to the elderly, and multiple generations of families irrespective of race, religion, sexuality or gender.”
The director of Birmingham LGBT, Steph Keeble, said: “This graffiti is totally unacceptable in modern society and reinforces attitudes based on hate and intolerance.
“Birmingham LGBT would urge everyone to take a zero tolerance position on any incident of homophobic, biphobic or transphobic hate crime.
“If you have been a victim of a hate incident or hate crime please report this to the police.”
Anyone with information which may help the police inquiry should call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
