A victim has criticised police response after she was targeted in a hate crime.
Noreen Sheikh’s car was trashed in the early morning attack outside her home in Heaton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
It’s believed the 44-year-old was singled out after she displayed posters calling for an end to the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Vandals tipped red paint over her white VW Golf – causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.
Northumberland police have since confirmed they’re treating the incident as a hate crime.
But Ms Sheikh has now blasted the police for their lack of interest in the case and is taking it upon herself to help solve the reckless crime by distributing leaflets in her local neighbourhood and asking neighbours for any video evidence they may have captured.
She told Asian Standard: “The police have been absolutely shocking. Once I’d reported the attack and they logged it they just weren’t interested. They said that if I didn’t have any video evidence of the crime, then the case would be simply closed.
“A couple of nights ago a friend of a friend who’s a dog walker found a bag with an empty can of red paint in it and a pair of gloves. This was obviously important evidence, but police told me to take it to the local station and when I did they just dismissed it saying it had rained since and so there wouldn’t be any fingerprints on it!
“I just can’t believe how they simply dismissed it.”
She added: “I’ve taken it upon myself to try and find out what happened. I’m asking neighbours for any video footage and walking round the streets delivering leaflets.
“The attack was completely out of the blue. I’ve never had any bad blood towards anyone and consider myself as a friendly person and good neighbour.”
And a local councillor is urging police to take immediate action to stem possible community tensions after the attack.
Councillor Greg Stone (Lib Dem, Manor Park) told Asian Standard: “Everyone is extremely shocked that this incident has happened on their doorstep. It’s usually a quiet area with no real crime problems.
“We must ensure that tensions don’t rise and that there aren’t any reprisals or revenge attacks. I’ve been in touch with the Neighbourhood Policing Team to urge them to do all they can to diffuse the situation and find those responsible.”
Councillor Deborah Burns (Lib Dem, Manor Park) added: “This is just awful, and very frightening that it’s happened here.
“It’s obviously a very emotive political situation with strong feelings on all sides. People are clearly entitled to their opinions but it’s truly shocking when this erupts into violence.”
A spokesman for Northumbria Police confirmed the vandalism was being treated as a hate crime.
He said: “We received a report of criminal damage which is reported to have taken place in the Heaton area of Newcastle between just after midnight on Sunday morning and 8am the same day. It was reported that paint was thrown over a vehicle by an offender who then made off. Officers have carried out enquiries in relation to the incident and are treating the report as a hate crime.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police quoting ref number 118122A/24.
