Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have launched an internal investigation after a swastika was etched into the belongings of a police officer.

GMP confirmed to the JC that they are treating the incident as a hate crime and said that the officer and said that the swastika found their property vandalised as they were beginning their shift.

GMP said that the victim had requested that their privacy be respected, and that they would not provide details as to their gender and religion.

Assistant Chief Constable Habs Hussain said: “This is an absolutely disgraceful and disgusting act and I can wholeheartedly say that we are appalled that one of our employees felt that this behaviour was acceptable.”

She said that GMP detectives and officers from its Professional Standards Branch were investigating, adding: “a colleague has been subjected to a hate crime and there is no place for behaviour like this in GMP or policing nationally and it’s being treated incredibly seriously.”

“We serve one of the most culturally diverse areas in the United Kingdom and we’re incredibly proud to have a diverse workforce to serve and represent our communities,” Ms Hussain said.

“It is absolutely unacceptable that an officer has been faced with such an atrocity during their shift and we’re urging any officers or staff with any information to report it.

“We are currently supporting the officer and I have spoken to the officer on a number of occasions today to update them on our investigation and offer them further support,” she concluded.

The incident is the second within the broader police force in as many years, as in November 2019 a swastika was graffitied within an area accessible only to staff at a police station in Enfield.