A man has been arrested after threatening graffiti targeting the Indian community was left outside an Auckland school.
A police investigation was launched after the offensive slogan appeared outside Papatoetoe Central School and was first reported on Saturday evening.
Inspector Dave Christoffersen said a local 61-year-old man had been arrested this morning.
“Given the threatening nature of the graffiti, our team has been making enquiries throughout the week, which has led to a quick arrest,” he said.
The man was charged with offensive behaviour and wilful damage under the Summary Offences Act.
He would appear in the Manukau District Court today.
Christoffersen said police were aware of how the incident had caused concern in communities.
“I can reassure the community that we have assessed this particular event as an isolated incident and that there is no wider risk to the community,” he said.
Christoffersen said police had made the assessment based on information obtained through the investigation and after interviewing the alleged offender.
“I am unable to go into the specifics of this, as we now need to let the court process take its course.”
Former Ōtara-Papatoetoe local board candidate Avinash Kaur, who posted a photo of the graffiti to social media, called it "deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable".
"No child should feel unsafe going to school, and no community should have to live with this kind of hate," she said.
On Saturday, school principal Raj Dullabh said he was "deeply saddened" and "offended" by what was written.
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