Police apologise for failing to investigate racist graffiti sprayed on black family's front door

Ten-year-old boy 'traumatised' after 'no blacks' daubed on flat five days after family moved in

The racist message was daubed on Jackson Yamba's front door five days after they moved into the flat in Salford (Mercury Press & Media Ltd.)

Greater Manchester Police has apologised after officers failed to investigate racist graffiti painted on a black family's front door.

Jackson Yamba said his 10-year-old son had been “traumatised” by a message saying "no blacks" which was daubed onto their flat in Salford five days after they moved in.

He reported the graffiti to police on 8 February but had not been visited by officers eight days later.

The 38-year-old tweeted: “My front door in Salford was painted over a week ago with this abhorrent racist graffiti - after reporting it to @gmpolice they still haven't been here to investigate. How do I assure my traumatised 10-year-old that he is safe in his home?”

Chief constable, Ian Hopkins, admitted the force’s response was “frankly just not good enough”.

Police logged Mr Yamba’s crime report but told him there were no officers available to see him. His call was not followed up until he posted about the graffiti on Twitter on Saturday night.

Mr Hopkins said: “I have only just seen this and can only apologise. I have asked the duty Assistant Chief Constable to ensure we visit you and investigate immediately. I have asked for a personal update as to why we haven't done so to date.

“There may have been other issues at the time, but we should have followed up quickly. It's an appalling crime you and your family have suffered.”

Mr Yamba, a trainee lawyer, said his son David was afraid to stay home alone following the vandalism.

"My first worry was that if they’ve done this, they can go further," he told the Manchester Evening News.

The graffiti prompted an outpouring of condemnation on social media, as well as support for Mr Yamba and his son.

Salford Red Devils rugby league club invited them to be special guests at a match to show "the true community", while other locals offered to buy a new door or paint over the graffiti.

GMP said Mr Yamba had been visited by officers, including Salford chief inspector David Gilbride. The force has appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Mr Gilbride said: "This is an abhorrent crime and there is no room for hatred and prejudice in our society.

"We are sorry to hear that the victim has received a service below what we would seek to provide. I have visited him in person today in order to ensure that this incident is fully investigated as a hate crime and we do our best to ensure that whoever is responsible for this disgusting act is brought to justice."