By Esther Lauaki
Police are investigating after racist slurs and nazi symbols were scrawled across walls at a Werribee community centre.
Werribee police were called to the council-owned Wayaperri House at 8.50am on August 5.
Police said the Duncans Road building was daubed with graffiti and windows and doors were smashed.
The graffiti, which included Nazi symbols and racist slurs, was quickly removed by Wydham council last week.
City operations director Stephen Thorpe said the council would work with the investigating police.
“Council is currently getting quotes to repair the damage to the windows,” Mr Thorpe said.
Recent anti-graffiti campaigns have been bearing fruit, with the council reporting a 25 per cent reduction in graffiti in the past 12 months thanks to education programs, rapid removal and engagement with local youths.
Safer communities portfolio holder Kim McAliney said earlier this year that the council took graffiti vandalism seriously and worked closely with Victoria Police, schools, residents and businesses to reduce graffiti in the municipality.
“We aim to remove illegal graffiti as quickly as possible to keep our city looking neat and tidy and also to discourage other vandals from adding their tags,” Cr McAliney said.
“One of the initiatives that is proving successful is a targeted early intervention anti-graffiti program targeted at year 8 students, aiming to prevent incidents in the community.”
Cr McAliney said that while education was key to preventing graffiti, the prosecution of perpetrators was also important.
“Victoria Police successfully prosecuted a case of graffiti vandalism in Wyndham [in February] with the offender charged with a criminal offence and also ordered to pay compensation,” she said.
Anyone with any information about the Wayaperri House damage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
