The video will start in 8 Cancel

Want the top news headlines sent to your inbox daily? Sign up to our FREE newsletter below Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

​A Newcastle mosque has been daubed with graffiti in an act of “disgusting” vandalism.

The word ‘bacon’ was spray-painted in large letters on the side of The Heaton Mosque and Islamic Centre, located on the corner of Rothbury Terrace and Heaton Road.

The vandalism was discovered by shocked residents on Friday morning.

Eating pork is forbidden under Islamic law, a belief which has previously been used to abuse Muslims.

In October 2017, two men were convicted at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court for smearing pork meat on the door of a mosque, according to the BBC.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

One shocked Heaton resident said: “It’s disgraceful, I’m shocked this has happened.

“I’ve seen racist graffiti in Heaton before unfortunately but as far as I know the mosque has never been targeted in this way.

“It’s disgusting, we don’t want to see this sort of thing round here.”

Councillor John-Paul Stephenson, who represents the Heaton ward, said: “This is an outrageous attack on our community. Heaton is well loved for its diversity.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

“This attack goes against everything we stand for. Councillors will be meeting with the mosque to discuss this and offer the support we can.

“Attacks like this will not be tolerated in our community.”

A Northumbria Police spokesman : “No reports have been made to police but we encourage anyone who finds themselves a victim of this sort of crime to get in touch with officers.”

On Friday morning, Newcastle City Council removed the graffiti.

A council spokesman said: “We aim to remove all offensive, racist and sexist graffiti within two working days.

“Where this is not possible, it will be obscured. Other types of graffiti on council-owned structures will be removed or obstructed when operationally possible.”

No-one from the mosque was available for comment.