A Nottinghamshire Police boss says the force sympathises with the "vast majority" of protesters at a Black Lives Matter march after a Nottingham landmark was vandalised.
Officers are continuing to investigate the vandalism at Nottingham's Council House after the words 'Black Lives Matter' were sprayed on its walls.
It followed a peaceful protest at the Forest Recreation Ground calling for change after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25.
The death sparked widespread protests across the world, including the Nottingham event which was hailed for the peaceful manner in which it took place.
However, following the protest a number of people took to Nottingham's Old Market Square where video footage captured marchers chanting "power to the people".
In the same video footage, protesters can be seen and heard criticising the vandals after graffiti was sprayed on the Council House.
One person can be heard telling the vandal "no, no, no, don't do that", while another is heard telling them to "use your brain".
After the video surfaced online, a number of protesters at the scene contacted Nottinghamshire Live to say that the Black Lives Matter movement did not want to associate with the vandalism - and that it was not done by people on the march.
Other photos have shown people, including teenager Storm Bennett Baker from Bulwell, cleaning up the graffiti to make sure the "true message" was not lost.
Nottinghamshire Police has since confirmed it is looking into the footage, and that it understands people on the march do not want to be associated with the "criminal act".
Inspector Paul Gummer said: “We understand that this is a highly emotive issue and that the vast majority of people who protested peacefully to highlight racial injustices do not want to be associated with the criminal act of a small minority.
“Nottinghamshire Police will be investigating this incident fully, as with any incident of criminal damage. Where those responsible for criminal acts are specifically identified, they will be dealt with accordingly.”
