Racist thugs target Polish family with arson attack and hate-filled letter after Brexit vote
A fire was started deliberately in a shed close to the house, with flames spreading to cause substantial damage
ARSONISTS targeted the home of a Polish family and left a "hate-filled" letter with further threats at the scene, police said.
The incident took place at the property on Blandford Road in Efford, Plymouth, overnight on Wednesday into Thursday.
A fire was started deliberately in a shed close to the house, with flames spreading to cause substantial damage.
Glass in the window of the bathroom shattered and the downpipes melted, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
After the fire was started the occupants of the property, who are originally from Poland, discovered a threatening letter had been sent to them.
Forensic examinations of the scene and letter are under way and the family are being supported by police and partner agencies.
Ewa Banaszak, 22, told the Plymouth Herald that her two younger sisters and father were inside the home when the fire took hold.
She said: "We've been here almost 10 years now. We've never got to the point where someone has taken action. It was more of a verbal problem in the past.
"I do think the EU referendum is a big part of what's happened."
Ms Banaszak said the family had been on the receiving end of insults in the past two years, with several incidents since Britain voted to leave the EU.
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In a post on Facebook, shared thousands of times, Ms Banaszak wrote: "This is so sad and disturbing to go through ... Especially that we have been in here for 10 years, working, studying and putting (in) all that we can ... Please share and spread the word so that it doesn't happen to someone else."
Supporters commenting on the post described the incident as "disgusting"; and "disgraceful".
Inspector Darren Green, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "I am appalled by this crime and incidents of hate such as this are treated as a priority by my officers.
"Hate crime has no place in Plymouth and we will do everything possible to locate those responsible for the fire and the disgusting letter sent to the victims.
"We believe this fire was started deliberately, was racially motivated and could have endangered the lives of the occupants.
"We are asking for the public's help in this matter as someone will know who is responsible.
"If anyone knows anything that can help with our investigations, then please get in touch.
"We would also like to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious last night and in the moments leading up to the fire, or anyone seen fleeing the scene."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the force on [email protected] or call 101 quoting crime log CR/045564/16.
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