The words “Jewish Lies Matter” were found daubed on a wall in Brighton, sparking outcry from a regional Jewish group and the local authority.

The graffiti, which has been removed since it was reported on Tuesday, is being investigated by Sussex Police.

A spokesperson for the force said officers were "made aware of antisemitic graffiti on a wall in Holland Road and on a bench on the Promenade at the end of Lansdowne Place, Hove."

Superintendent Rachel Swinney, the police force's hate crime lead, said: “ I understand the distress and concern that this incident will cause, this matter is being dealt with as a hate crime and I want to offer reassurance and say that we take criminality of this nature very seriously. We are doing everything we can to progress this investigation 

"Anyone with information on this particular matter is asked to report it to police online or call 101 quoting reference 150 of 17/11."

Fiona Sharpe, of the Sussex Jewish Representative Council, said the “highly political, antisemitic graffiti” was sprayed on a wall “only minutes away from three synagogues.”

“This vile graffiti was seen by many members of our community and has caused great distress.

“This kind of incendiary language cannot be tolerated or excused wherever it came from.”

Council leader Phelim MacCafferty said the graffiti was discovered “only a week after international commemorations for the antisemitic pogrom of Kristallnacht in Germany in 1938.” 

“As Leader of the city council I would like to extend my solidarity to the communities affected by this racist, offensive rubbish and to the vast majority in our city who despise racism,” he said.