'We will not tolerate this in our community': Councillor 'appalled' by racist posters in Sheffield suburb

A Sheffield councillor has said she is ‘appalled’ after a racist poster against the Slovak community appeared in one of the city’s suburbs appeared this week.
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There have been a number of racist posters put up in the Tinsley area over the last few weeks, criticising Slovak residents and unfairly blaming them for allegedly gathering and turning the community into Page Hall – an area of Sheffield which has had a number of street fights and heightened social issues in recent months.

Darnall councillor Mary Lea has hit out against the string of racist notices against Slovaks after another poster appeared in Tinsley this week, stating that this racist behaviour ‘would not be tolerated’ in the community.

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The latest poster which was found pinned up in Tinsley read: "It's our community.

Darnall councillor Mary Lea said she was 'appalled' to see racist posters against the Slovak community appearing in Tinsley.Darnall councillor Mary Lea said she was 'appalled' to see racist posters against the Slovak community appearing in Tinsley.
Darnall councillor Mary Lea said she was 'appalled' to see racist posters against the Slovak community appearing in Tinsley.

"See it - report it.

"Stop Slovaks littering and dumping rubbish.

"Stop Slovaks gathering on Oversley Street, Newmarch Street, Raby Street and Dundas Road, causing problems for our elderly, families and intermediating our children.

"Landlords take responsibility for your tenants.

"Let's not lose our community and become like Page Hall."

Councillor Lea said she plans to meet with community members in Tinsley over the next few weeks to tackle the problem.

"They've been appearing in the area since late last year but no one knows who has been putting them up.

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"It is not something that we welcome at all, it is just not on, it singles out a community for no reason other than some people who have racist reasons, which is what I would put that down to.”

The Labour representative for Darnall deplored the racist messages which she explained were not representative of the area’s hard working residents.

"It made me feel very very sad and appalled that those messages would go up in Sheffield in a particular community where everybody works very well together", she added.

"We have a big Asian population and a big white population and other Slovak communities and they all rub along very well together and I think they are all appalled by it.

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"It is not a reflection of Tinsley's community, we won't tolerate messages like that and we will do our best to do something about it."

South Yorkshire Police have been made aware of the posters and enquiries remain ongoing.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.