Community offer support after pavillion near Peterborough hit by offensive graffiti vandalism

Across both Sunday and Monday (February 14-15) the pavilion building on Middletons Recreation Ground in Yaxley was targeted by vandals, who sprayed graffiti on one of the outside walls.

The graffiti included racist language, someone’s private phone number to call with the suggestion they would be interested in carrying out sexual acts and the names of two people who were referred to in a derogatory manner.

Nearby CCTV cameras were also sprayed over in black paint to mask the culprit/s identity.

The matter has been reported to the Police and Yaxley Parish Council, who are responsible for the building, have asked Huntingdonshire District Council to review any other CCTV cameras that may be able to help identify those responsible.

The building is regularly used by the community and is the home of the volunteer-run Yaxley Community Fridge.

Yaxley Parish Council moved quickly to paint over the offensive graffiti and next week plan to finish the job with the help of local volunteers who have offered their services.

A spokesperson from the council said: “We have had a few issues with graffiti before but never anything on this level. It is not art in any way and it looks to have been done by a disgruntled individual who has taken their anger out on the building.

“We do have some lovely artwork on the other side, a thank you to all of the key worker heroes for their work during the pandemic, with a picture of Captain Sir Tom aswell, luckily this was untouched.

“We have had many offers from members of the public to repaint the wall, which we are very grateful for, and we will be taking them up on that offer next week once the final step on removing the paint and preparing the wall has been completed.”