South Downs Plaque Thefts Investigated As Racially Motivated

Wednesday, 25 September 2024 18:10

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

Police are investigating the theft of a series of plaques in the South Downs National Park as racially motivated.

The plaques, which contain QR codes linking users to stories and poems from writers of global heritage, are reported to have been stolen on or around 29 August.

Sergeant Tom Carter, of the Sussex Police Rural Crime Team, said:

“The fact that someone chose to steal plaques from this particular trail, which features work by female writers from Black and global majority backgrounds, is a detestable act that deprives others of the enjoyment of these incredible works.

“As only these specific plaques have been targeted, we are investigating this as a racially motivated theft.

"There is absolutely no place for racism or hate crime in Sussex, and anyone found to commit offences can expect to be dealt with robustly.

“I urge anyone who witnessed the theft on or around 29 August, or has any information that could help us find the perpetrator, to report it online or call 101, and quote reference 47240172774.”

You can read more about hate crime, and learn how to report it, here.

The National Park Authority has released further details of the incident here.

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