"Nigel loves gay packy's" [sic]

[Cheaplamp]

is scrawled on the floor of our spare bedroom. In big letters.

We're having a lot of building work done following a big insurance claim and have moved out. It's all been handled by our insurer - we haven't appointed the builders - and we know who the main contractor is but not their subcons. My friend thinks I should contact the police about it as it's racism. We are a mixed race family incidentally but none of us know a Nigel!

AIBU to speak to the police and have it recorded in some way, or just ignore and move on? We can't prove who did it - but we certainly didn't!

I'm not saying it's worth reporting to the police in that they're unlikely to be able to prove who did it which is why I said I'd complain to the main contractor.

Smallc, no we've had to move out as the works are so extensive. We're just around the corner, call every day, and it's not the kind of area where people use poor punctuation! The house is v secure apart from the tradesmen trailing through.

Pendeen Hate crime legislation makes it an offence if the victim feels that any action/speech was motivated by discrimination. So... If someone is burgled and they call the police, then say that they believe the burglary to have been motivated by the fact that they are, say, gay, or black/white/green, or disabled, then it's 'flagged' as a hate crime and that allegation would be investigated by a specialist hate crime officer or team.

It's a jolly good law because it gives people who are being abused because of their race/sexual orientation/health a means of ensuring that action is taken even when the abusive behaviour is a civil rather than criminal matter (like antisocial behaviour). But it can certainly be taken too far and yes, be so general as to mean that anyone who is offended by anything can cry 'hate crime' and attempt to involve the police

But anyhoo, I think you should definitely inform the building and insurance company OP. That's a disgusting thing to have been scrawled on your property. (Incidentally, you could involve the police if you wanted to because this is actually hate motivated criminal damage)

My friend was suggesting reporting it as having it logged might have more weight with our solicitor, who is looking to see whether the other issues I mentioned, especially how awful the first set of works were, is actionable in some way. So it's from an ammo point of view rather than tracking down the nobber who did it.

Feakandweeble that's very interesting, thankyou!

Thing is, how secure is the house while the work is being done? While nasty, it's a very childish thing to write, so could it have been some local yoot nipping in after the builders had gone for the day?

Thanks for putting that so much better than I was able to, FeakandWeeble!

Solidgoldbrass, I'm going to sound ver ver hyacinth buckét but there's almost no chance of that. We don't have Yoots here, just Young Gentlemen. Or farmers.

Or young farmers?

Yes, young farmers! I doubt any could be arsed to break into a house at the end of a semi rural cul de sac, show no evidence of forced entry, draw on the floor and then leave, all without our massively overactive homewatch peeps clocking them in and out.
It was the builders what dun it.

Cheaplamp, fair enough. Though posh teens can be stupid and mean and destructive as much as common ones can.

Right, am going to phone 101 this morning. We have just this minute had a reply from the insurance company - no mention of the scrawling at all, just a weak-willed email about some of the other points we raised. They're not bothered, clearly, and don't see it as relevant.

Spuddybean that's dreadful!

You're right to complain to the contractors and the insurance company.

A complaint to the police on the non-emergency number tends to concentrate their minds, so I'd do that.

yes, pendeen it is an offence to offend someone if you cause them 'harassment, alarm and distress'. The police would probably not take any action but the contractors should.

These prats should lose their jobs.

x-posts. You've called the police. Good

The insurance company and the main contractor should be informed. The project manager who I presume is your insurance agent should be dealing with it. It doesn't matter who did it, the main contractor is in control of the site and as such is responsible in making sure this kind of thing doesn't happen and steps are taken to make sure it is clear that this kind of behaviour is not tolerated, damage is rectified and an apology is given. Most builders are actually fine but there are one or two who think it's ok to be a prat and no-one ever seems to challenge it. But if it's one of my sites (architect) they will at minimum get a slapped wrist and require an apology , at worst some individuals have been removed from job sites ( which as these guys generally only get paid for what they do, is serious)
Generally we get sexist or generally rude scribblings but defacing property is a disciplinary offence. I've never seen a more terrified builder than when a heavily pregnant me laid into one for the inexcusable comments written on a site office pinboard
Your insurance company should be dealing with this and a strongly worded letter saying it's not good enough and steps must be taken to ensure nothing like this is done again & an apology is only the start.

Police on their way!

wonkylegs hell hath no fury like a cross pregnant lady! What did he do?

What wonkylegs said! Also, no one has the right to make you feel like this ever, and especially not in your own home! The insurance firm should be taking it a lot more seriously and if I were you I would be writing back to them with photographs and a police reference number (from 101).

Police came and took details and are logging it as racially aggravated criminal damage! OMG!
Glad they took it seriously. I almost feel sorry for the contracts manager, who is getting a call from HM Constabulary today! Ha!

Cheaplamp - good!

I just hope they follow it up and do what's needed to be done with the eejit who wrote it and possibly his mates who put him up to it!

it's a bit of a waste of police time, though, I think. Yes, it is racist and homophobic (as if someone called Nigel hasn't got enough to worry about) but it is the work of someone stupid, surely. Cover it up and move on.

I agree its a complete waste of police time. A stupid, childish prank that I might complain to the builders about but the Police? Really??