Vandals have caused outrage after scrawling the word "rape" on the ground and drawing swastikas in a children's park
The graffiti was left close to a play area in Westhoughton Park, Bolton, and was spotted by disgusted residents on Thursday last week.
The word "rape" had been chalked in large letters across the main walkway through the park and on a disabled access ramp nearby.
Not far away was a crudely-drawn swastika - the symbol most commonly used by Adolf Hitler's Nazi party before and during the Second World War.
While the chalk drawings were quickly removed from the area, the incident has caused anger among people who live nearby, many of whom were using the park as part of their daily exercise during the coronavirus lockdown.
Martyn Cox, deputy leader of Bolton Council and councillor for the Westhoughton area, has condemned the graffiti and said he hoped it would not happen again.
He added: "It's a stupid thing to have done. It was probably done by kids but they should be ashamed of themselves.
"I'm glad it was removed and they shouldn't be doing it again."
The park, which is not far from the high street in the centre of Westhoughton, is popular among young people and has a basketball and tennis court, as well as a play area.
Bolton Council's neighbourhood services team was made aware of the drawings and they have now been removed.
