Teens tracked down after swastika graffiti sprayed on walls
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Three teenagers have been apprehended by police after swastika graffiti was discovered on a number of walls in Thurso earlier this week.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Three male youths have been traced in connection with a number of hateful messages which were spray painted at various locations in Thurso between Monday, 9 and Tuesday, 10 May, 2022.
"The youths, aged 14, 15 and 16, will be reported to the Children’s Reporter and the Procurator Fiscal."
Thurso community activist Alexander Glasgow alerted the John O'Groat Journal to the issue, saying that he was in touch with a Highland Council officer and that "there is going to be an effort this week by operatives to remove them".
Mr Glasgow added: "The swastika was an ancient Indic symbol and highly popular in the West at the beginning of the last century before the Nazis appropriated it. It remains untainted by this association in the original cultures but in my opinion it's beyond redemption.
"In this case, I doubt those responsible gave any deep thought about what it represented. They just were engaging in mischief making."
A council spokesperson said: “Highland Council and volunteers from the community are taking action to remove the offensive graffiti. The police are investigating the crime, so we urge anyone with any information to contact them right away.
“Graffiti, while not only a criminal offence, is a total waste of taxpayers’ money as to clean it up diverts resources from council works and services. We urge anyone with information on any acts of vandalism to contact police on 101 or to phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
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