Police in Essex have arrested a 33-year-old man from Basildon after a video circulated online showing racially disparaging remarks being shouted at a Muslim woman and her child while men painted St. George’s crosses on a block of flats.
The footage showed two shirtless men painting large red crosses above a row of shops and restaurants while a third person filmed. As the woman in a headscarf walked past with her child, racial remarks were made.
According to the Daily Mail, Essex Police confirmed the arrest on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and conspiracy to commit criminal damage. Police said the action followed “multiple reports” from the public after the video emerged.
In the UK, if someone uses threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour, it can be treated as a racially aggravated offence, carrying more severe penalties than ordinary public order charges.
The flag painting comes amid an increase in “patriotic outpouring” in Basildon, where both St. George’s and Union Jack flags have been widely displayed. Some anti-asylum seeker protests have also featured heavy use of national flags.
“This week we've seen a large number of England and British flags put up across our borough,” said Basildon Council's Labour leader Gavin Callaghan on Saturday. “I think it's fantastic to see our flag flying proudly. It shows the pride that so many people feel in our country and our community.”
Callaghan said the council would not remove the flags but condemned vandalism and abuse.
“There is a big difference between flying a flag and vandalism. Painting on people's shops or council buildings isn't patriotism, it's criminal damage,” Callaghan added. “That isn't the way to show love for your country. You're not honouring England by vandalising Basildon. You're not protecting your child's future by racially abusing a passer-by.”
He added, “The video circulating of men painting a St George's flag on the shops on Whitmore Way wasn't just about a flag, it was laced with vile racist abuse aimed at a mum and her young child. That is totally wrong and must be called out.”
Chief Inspector Paul Hogben also condemned the incident, saying, “Regardless of anyone's thoughts or views, causing damage by applying paint to people's properties is clearly a criminal offence.”
“Aside from that simple fact, some of the language directed towards a member of the public in this incident was disgraceful,” he said. “I'm confident the vast majority of people in Essex share the view this language has no place in our county.”
