CCTV image released in racist attack probe

POLICE are hunting a man suspected of a racist attack on a shop worker.

The incident happened around 7pm on New Year’s Day outside the Somerfield store on Red Bank Road, Bispham.

A thug followed a 22-year-old man for a short distance and made racist comments before punching him on the jaw.

The victim suffered minor facial injuries but did not need hospital treatment.

Police have released CCTV footage of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident.

Investigating officer PC Queenie Chan said: “This was a particularly distressing incident for the individual concerned.

“I would urge anyone who may recognise the man from the CCTV footage to contact the police immediately.”

The man police want to speak to is white, aged between 20 and 25, around 5ft 8in tall, slim, with short hair. He wore a white jacket at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information can contact Blackpool Police on 01253 293933 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Blackpool Gazette
30 January 2009

Disgust at racist graffiti on shops

POLICE were today hunting a racist vandal who daubed vile graffiti on shops.

The attacks took place in Kirkham at around 2am yesterday.

CCTV cameras captured the young vandal using a can of spray paint to daub offensive slogans and symbols across store frontages on Poulton Street.

Nine shop windows were targeted by the lout, who escaped on a bicycle.

Elaine Silverwood, owner of SilverDell bookshop and ice cream parlour, said: "This was a really awful thing to find on our shop window and something we've never really had a problem with in Kirkham before.

"You get kids writing their names somewhere and the police go and pick them up.

"But these were really nasty comments which left me feeling sick.

"I've been going through my CCTV to see if I could spot whoever's done it.

"The police have been in and spoke to us and I believe they've been to see the other businesses who have been targeted.

"We've not got it anywhere near as bad as other places.

"There's an empty charity shop across the street which has it all over the full window.

"I've contacted the council to see if they can clean it off, but if they can't I'll go and do it myself because it just looks awful."

Police spent yesterday conducting inquiries in Kirkham while viewing CCTV in the area.

Sgt Paul Fowler of St Annes Police said: "There has been graffiti sprayed on to some of the shop windows in Kirkham.

"Some of that was racist in nature and it has all now been removed.

"Inquiries are ongoing and we are looking at CCTV to try to identify the person responsible.

"We would like to hear from anybody who may have seen something or might match the description of the person we want to speak to in connection with this incident."

Police believe the vandal was a teenage boy.

CCTV footage shows him wearing a light grey Parka-style coat with the hood pulled up, light grey tracksuit trousers and dark trainers with light laces or a logo on the tongue.

He rode a dark mountain bike with white forks and front suspension.

Anyone with information can contact St Annes Police Station on (01253) 604697 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Blackpool Gazette
01 January 2009

Furious row in shop led to smashed windows

A MAN kicked in shop windows after a shopkeeper threw curry powder in his eyes, a court was told.

Martin Dalton, aged 21, of Southbank Avenue, Marton, pleaded guilty to racially-aggravated damage.

He was sentenced to do 100 hours’ unpaid work for the community and ordered to pay £500 compensation by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor Pam Smith said that on November 16 at 3.40pm Dalton went into The Food and Wine Store, Whitegate Drive, and beckoned the shopkeeper to come outside and fight with him.

Dalton threw items off the shelves and a can of lager at the Asian shopkeeper before making a race hate remark to him and kicking in the shop windows.

Steven Townley, defending, said Dalton’s brother had previously been in the shop and when he put down a can of lager he had been drinking from on the counter, the shopkeeper objected and hit his hand with a bat.

Dalton went to the shop to remonstrate with the shopkeeper, who came at him with the bat.

Dalton threw a can of lager at him and the shopkeeper then threw curry powder in the defendant’s eyes.

Dalton lost his temper and kicked the windows, which cost £1,600 to replace.

Blackpool Gazette
31 December 2008