'IT won't be tolerated'.

That was the message from community leaders after racist graffiti was found in Barrow.

Crude words including racial slurs, next to an obscene drawing of male genitalia, had to be cleaned away from the pavement near Furness Building Society. 

Matt Blackburn, the director of Grime Fighters UK, which removed the graffiti, said: "A member of the public messaged us to ask if we could help so we went straight there to remove it. It's the second incident that we have attended this year." 

Last year, racist and homophobic material was left on a war memorial in Barrow Park. 

Jannett Walker, the chair of Anti Racist Cumbria, referenced that incident saying this 'isn't isolated'. 

Ms Walker said: "If that racist graffiti is targeted at a community it has a personal impact. It also sends out the wrong message about communities. It is a hate crime at the end of the day, and we hope that communities will rally around in kicking this out. 

"Even if it is just a group of teenagers that are trying to get a rise out of it they need educating to understand the impact of those words.

"We urge people to log it with the police because it impacts everyone in the area. It is important that they are logged and managed so we know how much of this happens. It is not just about arresting people, it does need to be taken seriously."

The Mail: Janett Walker is the chair of Anti Racist Cumbria.Janett Walker is the chair of Anti Racist Cumbria.

Barrow mayor Hayley Preston, who is also the lead councillor for equality, diversity and inclusion at Barrow council, said: "Thank you to the cleaning company for their work to clean up the graffiti. We encourage those doing this to stop. 

"Racist messages will not be tolerated and we hope to see an improvement in this attitude. Our community is diverse and rich."