A property in Padiham has been targeted in a “racially motivated attack” which has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Windows of the property, on High Street, have been smashed and racist graffiti “no w**s” has been written on the front door in marker pen.
Repair men working at the site reportedly heard threats that the property would be “fire bombed if a [black person] moved in".
Darren McNeill, director and founder of The Finnigan-McNeill Property Group, is managing agent of the property. It is owned by a private landlord.
The property is currently empty and Darren says no one is allowed to move in until the issue has been resolved.
Darren estimates that around £4,000 worth of damage has been caused.
Darren said: “We have a tenant who lives on the next street who contacted us to let us know about the damage.
“The first incident was on Tuesday, February 13 when the windows were put through and graffiti put on the door.
“On Wednesday, February 14, we had someone on site making repairs and a man came up to the workers repairing the property and said that they would ‘fire bomb' the property if any [black people] lived there.
“On Sunday, February 18 graffiti was again added and they attempted to break in.
“The irony is that the people moving into the property were Caucasian, not that this should matter, so why this property has been targeted by someone is beyond us.
“The incident is being investigated by the police.
“We just want this person to be caught as they could attack other household.”
A police spokesperson said: "We were called to High Street, Padiham, at 10.51am on February 19 to reports of criminal damage.
"It was reported that some time between 13th February and today racist graffiti written on the front door of a property.
"Nobody has been arrested and enquiries are very much ongoing.
"We do not tolerate hate of any form and we will do everything in our power to identify the offenders and take the appropriate action.
"While this is being treated as an isolated incident, reassurance patrols will be increased in the area as a precaution."
Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting log 401 of February 19 2024.
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