Police have been left “horrified” after swastikas were found sprayed on signs that urged people to "stay home and protect the NHS" during the coronavirus pandemic.
A number of yellow “car park closed” signs along the coast between Seaton Sluice, in Northumberland, and Whitley Bay, in North Tyneside, were targeted overnight by vandals.
At least five locations over a two-mile stretch were defaced, including a sign saying “Car park closed, stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives”.
The signs were put in place to inform the public that car parks leading to beaches in the area had been closed amid the coronavirus lockdown.
Council teams were sent out to clean off the swastikas.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Whilst on patrol in the Blyth Road, Whitley Bay area, one of our special constables was horrified to come across two swastikas spray painted on to car park closure signs at the car park approaching St Mary’s Lighthouse.”
The force urged anyone with information to send details to the “Report an Incident” section of the Northumbria Police website.
Additional reporting by Press Association
