The Polish Embassy in London has expressed its "shock and concern" after a spike in hate crimes was reported since the EU referendum.
The Polish and Social Cultural Association (POSK) in Hammersmith was targeted by vandals yesterday morning, with MP Greg Hands stating that they had sprayed yellow paint on the front of the centre saying "Go Home".
Police confirmed they are investigating the incident and are treating it as a racially motivated crime.
A statement from the UK Polish Embassy read: “We are shocked and deeply concerned by the recent incidents of xenophobic abuse directed against the Polish community and other UK residents of migrant heritage.
“The Polish Embassy is in contact with relevant institutions, and local police are investigating the two most widely reported cases in Hammersmith, London, and Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.
“At the same time, we would like to thank for all the messages of support and solidarity with the Polish community expressed by the British public.
“We call on all Polish nationals who fall victim of xenophobic abuse and on all witnesses to report such incidents to local authorities.”
Residents said it was the first time that POSK, which was built by the generation of Polish people who fought with Britain against Nazi Germany, had been vandalised in its 60 year history.
POSK’s chair Joanne Muldzinska said: “We were very disturbed and upset this morning to find really unpleasant graffiti all over the building when the staff came in."
Cambridge Police are also investigating signs which were allegedly posted in the Huntingdon area saying "no more Polish vermin" and "Polish scum" translated into Polish.
