Swastika daubed on a tree by Whitehaven's Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, and police want to know who did it Police appeal after swastika graffiti near Whitehaven Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday

Someone sprayed a swastika on a tree by the Cenotaph in Castle Park on Remembrance Sunday morning. The police scrubbed it off before the parade and want to hear from anyone who knows anything: 101, incident 67 of 8 November.

If you were anywhere near Castle Park on Saturday night or early Sunday, have a think, because the police want to hear from you.

On Remembrance Sunday morning, 8 November, officers were told someone had sprayed graffiti on a tree in Castle Park, right in view of the Cenotaph, just hours before the parade. It included a swastika.

The police said: "The graffiti, which included a swastika, was swiftly washed away by officers on the scene as they were aware of the impact this could have on Remembrance Sunday."

They added: "Enquiries are continuing. Anyone with information can contact police on 101, referring to incident 67 of November 8."

Folk in town are fuming, and fair enough. Mayor Ray Gill of Whitehaven Town Council said: "I personally find it abhorrent and disgusting."

Councillor Chris Hayes said: "When I was informed about it, I was devastated to see people using Remembrance Sunday as a political statement."

Castle Park, just off Lowther Street, is where the Cenotaph stands and where the town gathers for the service and the wreaths every year. It's had CCTV and lights on the paths since 2022, paid for by the Home Office's Safer Streets Fund to try and stop the bother there.

Thanks to the quick scrub by the officers, the parade went ahead as normal with no sign of it.

What to do: if you saw something, have doorbell or dashcam footage from round the park, or you know who did it, ring Cumbria Police on 101 and quote incident 67 of 8 November, or report it on the Cumbria Police website. If you'd rather not give your name, ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Graffiti including a swastika was found on a tree in view of the Cenotaph in Castle Park, Whitehaven, on the morning of the Remembrance parade. Officers washed it off and are asking anyone with information to call 101, quoting incident 67 of 8 November.

This is for anyone in Whitehaven who was in or near Castle Park on Saturday night or early on Sunday 8 November, and for everyone who attended the town's Remembrance parade.

Cumbria Police say officers were told on Sunday morning about graffiti on a tree in Castle Park, in view of the town's Cenotaph, hours before the Remembrance Day parade. The graffiti included a swastika.

A police spokesperson said: "The graffiti, which included a swastika, was swiftly washed away by officers on the scene as they were aware of the impact this could have on Remembrance Sunday."

The spokesperson added: "Enquiries are continuing. Anyone with information can contact police on 101, referring to incident 67 of November 8."

The vandalism has been condemned locally. Whitehaven's mayor, Councillor Ray Gill of Whitehaven Town Council, said: "I personally find it abhorrent and disgusting."

Councillor Chris Hayes said: "When I was informed about it, I was devastated to see people using Remembrance Sunday as a political statement."

Castle Park, off Lowther Street, is home to the town's Cenotaph and is where the Remembrance service and wreath-laying take place each year. The park has had CCTV and new path lighting since 2022, paid for through the Home Office's Safer Streets Fund to tackle anti-social behaviour there.

The parade went ahead on Sunday as planned, with the graffiti already removed.

What you can do: if you saw anything, have doorbell or dashcam footage from around the park, or know who was responsible, call Cumbria Police on 101 and quote incident 67 of 8 November, or report it online through the Cumbria Police website. You can also tell Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.