Seaford: Swastika and words 'Nazi loving scum' painted on tower

The graffiti, which appeared on the Martello tower in Seaford, was first reported on Sunday.

Lewes District Council has condemned the “deeply offensive” graffiti and Seaford Town Council said it does not know “why someone would do this”.

It is hiring a specialist cleaner to remove the paint off the building’s 213-year-old bricks.

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Adam Chugg, clerk for Seaford Town Council, said: “We are aware of this. We are arranging removal.

“The tower is a historic monument and so we are getting appropriate materials for this that can be safely used on this important building.”

“We don't know why someone would do this.”

Maria Caulfield, MP for Lewes, said she was made aware of the “shocking graffiti” and reported it to the district council.

The graffiti on the Seaford Martello Tower yesterday before it was jet-washed (Image: Supplied)

A Lewes District Council spokesman said: “This graffiti is deeply offensive and we encourage anyone with information about those responsible to contact Sussex Police.”

The Grade II* Martello Tower has a Ukraine flag on its mast.

Alistair McNair, a councillor from Brighton who lived in Ukraine for eight years, said he is “appalled and shocked at the anti-Ukrainian graffiti” on the tower.

It comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin said last year that the purpose of the Russian invasion was to “demilitarise and denazify Ukraine”.

Cllr McNair pointed towards Ukraine’s role in the Second World War, as well as the fact its president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Jewish and his family survived the Holocaust.

The graffiti pictured today in Seaford (Image: The Argus)

He said: “I am appalled and shocked at the anti-Ukrainian graffiti on the Martello towers in Seaford. 

“The vast majority of UK residents have welcomed Ukrainians with open arms and support Ukraine in their existential struggle against Russia, so I can only imagine this graffiti was daubed by someone with no knowledge of Ukraine or Ukrainians. 

"Ukraine is in one of its darkest hours with a renewed Russian offensive expected. 

“Many Ukrainians in Seaford and Brighton and Hove have husbands on the front line, and relatives being bombed every day, so I can’t imagine how they feel seeing such graffiti. 

“Ukraine, as part of the Soviet Union, fought bravely against the Nazi regime, millions died, and Ukrainians are rightly proud of their role in the Second World War. 

The swastika and writing was painted on two spots of the Martello Tower (Image: Supplied)

“This graffiti is particularly hurtful as it mirrors the language of Vladimir Putin who deliberately warps Ukrainian history and nationhood for his own despicable ends. 

“Ukraine is home to thousands of Jews and other ethnic minorities who lived peaceably together before Russia invaded.  

“Ukraine is a democratic, Western-looking nation with liberal values that is desperately fighting against a Russia determined to wind history back. 

“I know the residents of Seaford, and the UK in general, will understand to be ignorant, hurtful vandalism, and will continue their support as long as is needed.”

Sussex Police have been approached for comment.