Extreme graffiti sparks racism fear

| Friday, 24 November 2006 Source: Royston and Buntingford Mercury

GRAFFITI promoting far-right groups appeared in Buntingford this week, sparking fears that the town is becoming a hotbed of racial intolerance.

Vandals daubed 'BNP', in reference to the British National Party, 'NF', meaning the National Front, and 'C18' for Combat 18 - the group who carried out a vicious racist attack in Buntingford in July 1993 - in red paint on road signs, walls and under the road bridge on Aspenden Road.

The graffiti, which appeared on Wednesday morning, follows the formation of an East Herts BNP group the Mercury reported in September that the party had set Buntingford in its sights.

Cllr Surjit Singh Basra, an Asian member of Buntingford Town Council, said: "I suspect it's just kids, but if it is the BNP then they can target Buntingford all they like. They will not find support here.

"If they want a debate they can have a debate if they want a fight they can have a fight.

"I have lived here since 1991 and have never had any real trouble - it's the safest place I have ever lived and I'm not worried."

Cllr Pat Whittaker said that the graffiti was provocative, regardless of who did it, and that it was a warning sign that the BNP's strategy could work in Buntingford.

"There's no daylight between Labour and the Conservatives at the moment

"I think the BNP believe by setting themselves out as the radical party with different policies they may get some votes.

"The elections are coming up next year and many people will not bother to vote so maybe they think they can sneak in through the back door."

The East Herts branch of the British National Party denied any involvement with the graffiti.

Spokesman Steve Johnson said: "The BNP is totally against this sort of thing. We want to keep our towns and villages nice places to live.

"It is ugly and it is uncalled for and we hope that the culprits feel the full force of the law.

"I should imagine it was done by some teenage yobs."

Gerry Gable, of anti-Nazi magazine Searchlight, said: "Buntingford is one of a number of rural Home Counties towns that the BNP is targeting.

"The BNP play on people's fear of the unknown."