Officers are appealing for witnesses and information following an incident of racially aggravated criminal damage in Hitchin.

It was reported that between 5pm on Friday 23 October and 10.45am on Saturday 24 October, offender(s) defaced a Black Lives Matter exhibition at Christchurch Methodist Church in Bedford Road with spray paint.

PC Emma Jessup, who is investigating, said: "Not only is this senseless vandalism, with an exhibition celebrating black history that people have worked very hard on ruined, but it is also being treated as a hate crime.

"This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated in Hertfordshire, and we are conducting extensive enquiries to trace those responsible.

"If you witnessed the incident taking place, or if you have any information that you think may assist with our investigation, please get in contact as soon as possible."

If you have any information, you can contact PC Jessup directly via email at [email protected].