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A Welsh school has been set on fire and covered with Nazi symbols in a series of hate crimes committed over the bank holiday weekend.

A Masonic hall and university campus in Newport were also damaged and vandalised in what police have described as "a series of hate crime incidents".

The crimes come after Nazi graffiti appeared on streets in Cardiff in March.

In Newport, the Masonic Hall in Lower Dock Street was set on fire overnight on Monday. Extensive damage was caused to the fire exit door.

Then, on Monday afternoon, it was reported that offensive graffiti had been sprayed on part of the University of Wales’ Newport City Centre campus – again believed to have been carried out the night before.

And at approximately 2.40am on Tuesday, officers attended Basseleg School where a window had been forced open and a small fire deliberately started. Offensive graffiti had also been sprayed on the premises.

(Image: Andy Elias)

Detectives are also investigating a small number of additional reports of offensive graffiti in the city over the bank holiday weekend. It is not yet known if all offences were committed by the same individuals.

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Chief Inspector Richard Blakemore, of Gwent Police, said: “We are taking these incidents very seriously – there is absolutely no place for hate crime in Gwent.

"We are working extremely hard to find out who committed these offences so we can bring them to justice quickly.

“We are in the process of studying CCTV footage and carrying out extensive enquiries in the areas affected, but we would welcome help from the public.

"Please get in touch if you have any information about the offences or if you saw anyone acting suspiciously in the areas.

“I would like to reassure all members of the Newport community that we are committed to ensuring our city is a welcoming and safe place for everyone, and my officers will be carrying out increased patrols today to share that message and offer any support required.”

(Image: Andy Elias)

In April a swastika sign and the word “nazizone” were found graffitied on walls near Roald Dahl Plas s in Cardiff.

A homophobic slur was also sprayed on boarding promoting the The Lady Boys of Bangkok show.

In March, racist graffiti and posters appeared in a Cardiff suburb overnight. The swastika and other racist material appeared on walls in Grangetown , the day before an anti-racism march was due to take place in the area.

(Image: Greg Pycroft) (Image: Greg Pycroft)

Anyone with information about these incidents should call Gwent Police on 101, using the crime reference 157 of 28/5/18.

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.