Racist graffiti, swastika symbols appear in Australia beach

Sydney, Aug 11 (IANS) Racist graffiti and swastika symbols been scrawled along a main street in Australia's iconic Bondi beach in New South Wales (NSW) state, reports said on Thursday.

Police found about 15 swastika symbols drawn on the footpath, bus stops, poles, benches and electrical boxes, the ABC reported.

Another piece of graffiti read, "not white, not right".

Eastern Suburbs Local Area Commander Superintendent Jason Box said police were taking the graffiti seriously.

"The NSW Police Force takes crimes that are motivated by hatred or prejudice very seriously and any such crimes will not be tolerated," ABC quoted Box as saying on Thursday.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Vic Alhadeff condemned the graffiti as a "hate crime", The Daily Telegraph reported.

"It is hurtful (to Jewish people) given the swastika represents Nazi Germany, at the same time it's offensive to all Australians because Australia fought against Nazi Germany," Alhadeff said.

"This is an affront to all the citizens of Bondi, and there is no place for such bigotry in our country," The Daily Telegraph quoted the chief executive as saying.