Graffiti written in Spanish is spray-painted across seaside town saying ‘English better off dead’

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Graffiti written in Spanish is spray-painted across seaside town saying ‘English better off dead’

Daily Mail · 1 hour ago

Anti-English graffiti written in Spanish has been discovered at multiple locations in Boscombe, a suburb of Bournemouth in Dorset. The spray-painted messages, which translate to phrases including "Dead Englishmen" and offensive statements suggesting English people should be dead, appeared on public spaces including a wooden fence and clifftop path. This is the second such incident in three months, with locals and council members condemning the graffiti as unacceptable hate speech that contributes to a toxic atmosphere in the community.

Bournemouth is home to over 40 Spanish language schools and attracts substantial numbers of Spanish students, providing context for the language choice of the graffiti. The seaside town also houses three migrant hotels, including The Roundhouse, which is being phased out for use housing asylum seekers and is due to close to that purpose by October. The town experienced significant anti-immigration tensions during summer 2025, with protests and counter-protests at the hotel. Local council members and residents have urged the public to report offensive graffiti to authorities, whilst the council has pledged prompt action in removing such messages.

  • Anti-English graffiti in Spanish appeared in Bournemouth for the second time in three months
  • Reflects broader tensions over migrant hotels and immigration in the seaside town
  • Authorities urge reporting of offensive graffiti to enable swift removal and police action

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