A leading councillor has spoken of his shock that homes in York have been daubed with anti-immigration messages – despite being reserved for local people.
Forty houses on Bell Farm Avenue are being gutted and refitted at the moment.
Owner City of York Council is investing £3.5 million to get the long empty buildings back into use.
Once the upgrades are complete, the homes will go to York residents on the council house waiting list.
But yesterday (Sunday) several of the houses were sprayed with messages, including ‘Brits Only’, ‘No Imigrants [sic]’ and ‘Stop The Boats Kier’.
The anti-immigrant graffiti led to the decision to close Bell Farm Social Hall. A message from the chairman on Facebook said: “We are sorry, but we are closing the hall.
“We will reopen when the racist painting has gone – so no food bank and no doodle days.
“Sorry, we won’t bring people into such a toxic atmosphere.”
A video showing the graffiti posted on Facebook led to commenters asserting the homes were being made ready for immigrants to move in.
But that is not true, and the claims have both shocked and upset city leaders.
Cllr Michael Pavlovic is housing, planning and safer communities lead at the council.
He said: “I’m devastated. I’m devastated for the community as well, who don’t want to be having to read racist graffiti.
“We don’t know where these rumours have started. There is no truth in them.
“And when the properties are completed, hopefully by the end of the year, they will be allocated to York residents.”
Asbestos is being removed from the houses. They are being made water-tight, and transformed into a “really nice condition”.
Work got underway this afternoon to clean up the graffiti.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Police are aware of reports of criminal damage involving graffiti painted onto properties undergoing refurbishment in Bell Farm Avenue in York.
“The damage was reported in the early hours of Sunday 3 August.
“An investigation is ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 if they have not already spoken to the police.”