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A 61-year-old man is to appear in court facing charges over threatening anti-Indian graffiti that was tagged on the footpath outside a South Auckland primary school.
The graffiti, which made a violent threat towards “all Indians”, was being investigated as a “hate-motivated crime” since being reported to police on Saturdayevening.
Counties Manukau West area commander Inspector Dave Christoffersen confirmed a 61-year-old man was arrested this morning in relation to the incident.
“Given the threatening nature of the graffiti, our team has been making inquiries throughout the week, which has led to a quick arrest,” Christoffersen said.
Police said they’d charged the man with offensive behaviour and wilful damage under the Summary Offences Act.
He was due to appear in the Manukau District Court today.
Offensive grafitti painted outside Papatoetoe Central School on Saturday April 11, which targets the Indian community.
Christoffersen acknowledged the distress the incident had caused but said police had concluded it was an isolated incident with no wider risk to the community.
“We have made this assessment with information obtained through the investigation and after interviewing the man who has been charged,” he said.
Papatoetoe Central School principal Raj Dullabh, who has Indian heritage, previously posted a statement on the school’s Facebook page to address the incident.
“We are deeply saddened and offended by the content written.
“The tagging has been covered, and we will look to erase the content once the storm passes.”
