Refugee centre vandalised with brick and dog dirt
HandoutA refugee centre in Merseyside was vandalised and had dog dirt smeared onto its front door.
Merseyside Police is investigating the attack on the Bootle Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA), in which a window was broken.
The force said it was too early to say what motivated the incident but added that a a hate crime co-ordinator would be in touch with the association to offer support.
Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi MBE, directed of the ACAA, said he felt "devastated" to see "such an inhuman attitude".
The association said a brick had been used to smash the window during the attack, which was reported on Tuesday 11 March.
Dr Nasimi said: "Our mission is to promote integration, shared values, unity and bring communities together, but at the same time, we are a small charity with a small office in one of the most deprived areas in Liverpool."
'Scared and upset'
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: "Vandalism of any form is not welcome in Sefton.
"We fully support the fantastic work of the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association and they are one of many community focussed groups that do everything to help make our neighbourhoods better.
ACAA head of research, Rabia Nasimi said: "This impacts the staff and volunteers' morale, because even if we are to continue our services, if we are a target, people that work within the office are understandably scared and upset.
"We welcome the local community to come and talk to us and we're not going to let this incident stop us from our mission and that's to promote united communities."
Merseyside Police confirmed it received a report from a third-party about damage to a window at the building on Hawthorne Road.
The spokesperson added: "Officers have attended at the centre and CCTV and forensic opportunities have been looked into."
The force urged anyone with any potentially relevant information to come forward.
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