TURKISH barber shops in Sunderland city centre have been targeted with graffiti and notices, telling the owners to “leave their shop”.
Speedy Turkish Barber on Holmeside, Oscar Super Cutz on Fawcett Street, Jimmy’s Barber Shop on Borough Road and Magic Scissors barber shop were all targeted with the vile abuse.
The graffiti for all three incidents says “leave your shop, your problem for people”.
The owner of Speedy Turkish Barber, who is known as Speedy, spoke with local newspaper Sunderland Echo said he has been left upset and embarrassed by the graffiti and revealed that this is not the first time he has been targeted by abuse.
He said: “This is the second time that this has happened and the second time that I will have to clean it, I don’t have a problem with anyone and I’m nice to everybody so it’s really upsetting to see.
“I feel so embarrassed and it’s really sad to see, I don’t even want to leave the house now.
“Before this I’ve even faced racist abuse while working in the shop, people have came in just to say things to me.
“I’ve had loads of phone calls about it and all my customers have been giving me support, they all know how nice I am.”
Officers investigating a spate of graffiti attacks have charged 22-year-old Sarbaz Rasul Khzri with four counts of criminal damage and possessing an offensive weapon.
Khrzi, will appear before magistrates in South Tyneside on March 11.