Police are investigating after a swastika was found scrawled on a wall in Lancashire during Rosh Hashanah.

The Nazi symbol, which was removed Monday morning, was approximately 40cm wide and discovered on a wall in Preston next to the numbers 1914.

Preston city councillor Pav Akhtar, who discovered the graffiti on Saturday, told the JC that several Jewish residents got in touch to express their concern.

“I live in an area with a small Jewish population,” the councillor said. “The threat of the far right and neo Nazi symbols repeatedly appearing is really worrying.”

“There have been repeated examples of reported Islamophobia,” he said. “It’s a fair assumption to make that where one religious minority is targeted there is always going to be a real worry that others will be at risk too.” But the local community was also “overwhelmingly kind and inclusive,” he added.

The incident appears connected to a separate spate of crimes reported in the local area earlier this year, according to a tweet by Inspector Chris Barton of Preston Police, who said those responsible were not identified despite media appeals.

“Our investigation has just begun but clearly any help from the public would be greatly appreciated as we are very keen to prosecute those responsible,” he added.

Councillor Robert Boswell, cabinet member for environment and community safety, told the JC the local authority “reacted quickly to the report of racist graffiti in the Plungington area this weekend.

“Racism and messages of hate have no place in Preston and I am grateful to those who reported this abhorrent graffiti as our city has a proud tradition of standing against all forms of prejudice. I’d urge anyone who sees something similar to report it to us so that it can be taken care of,” he added.