A 33-year-old man from Basildon has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offence and conspiracy to commit criminal damage. The arrest followed viral social media footage showing racist abuse directed at a Muslim woman and her child.
The video shows two topless men painting red St George's crosses on white walls of flats above shops on Whitmore Way in Basildon, Essex. Racial slurs were hurled at a Muslim woman wearing a headscarf as she walked past with a child, while a third person filmed the incident.
Police investigation underway
Essex Police received multiple reports from the public after the footage circulated widely on social media. The suspect was released on bail while investigations continue, according to the BBC.
The affected row of shops includes a convenience store, pharmacy, Indian restaurant, Chinese takeaway and burger bar. The incident occurred amid a broader pattern of flag displays across the country, including at protests outside asylum seeker hotels.
Community leaders condemn racism
Basildon Council's Labour leader Gavin Callaghan said there was "a big difference between flying a flag and vandalism". He emphasised that painting on shops or council buildings "isn't patriotism, it's criminal damage".
Callaghan added: "You're not honouring England by vandalising Basildon. You're not protecting your child's future by racially abusing a passer-by. Racism has no place in Basildon."
Police response to incident
Chief Inspector Paul Hogben described the language directed at the woman as "disgraceful". He said: "I'm confident the vast majority of people in Essex share the view this language has no place in our county."
Hogben emphasised that causing damage by applying paint to people's properties was "clearly a criminal offence". He said such behaviour does "nothing to further any argument" beyond "causing distress, alarm and fear to innocent people".
Sources used: "PA Media", "The Independent", "BBC", "Daily Mail" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
