PEOPLE rallied around to help yesterday after political graffiti was daubed across a prominent North Parade building,

The vandalism on the premises, home to the Assembly Bradford co-working space and the Crafted bar, is now being treated as a hate crime. 

It happened on Tuesday night between 9.30pm and 10pm.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "The suspects spray painted graffiti on the door of a building which was next to the Indian Embassy.

"The graffiti is offensive and of a political nature and is being investigated as a hate crime.

"Enquiries are ongoing including examination of nearby CCTV."

The graffiti made reference to 'BKI' (Babbar Khalsa International) a proscribed terrorist organisation which wants an independent Sikh state called Khalistan, which was also referenced in the graffiti.

'Hawara' was also daubed across the building, seemingly a reference to Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is a militant of the movement and serving the life term at the Tihar jail in Delhi for the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.

Inspector Richard Baildon, of Bradford City NPT, added: “We take all instances of hate crime very seriously and all perpetrators will be dealt with robustly.

“Our investigation into this incident remains ongoing.

“I would urge anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area, or has any further information to assist with our enquiries."

Those who rallied around to help clean the graffiti off the building have been praised. 

Assembly Bradford said it appears to be mistaken identity.

They said: "The writing relates to a long-standing dispute over land with a militant group of Sikhs, stemming back to partition and the British Empire. We were approached by members of the Sikh community in Bradford who were appalled by the actions, who came immediately to help, along with many members of the Bradford business community.

"It was heart warming to see so many people turn up, safely and distanced of course.

"Assembly, Crafted and our landlord take pride in the appearance of our fine listed building and it was rewarding to come together so quickly and get it cleared up."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Bradford City NPT via 101 quoting crime reference number 13210043549 or online via https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/contact-us. Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously.