A SERIES of criminally racist letters have been circulated in Watford, in what appears to be a systematic campaign by the same person.

One of the hand-written notes was sent to a primary school, catering for four to 11 year-olds. In extreme language it called for non-white children to be thrown out.

A letter making the same demands was also sent to one of the town's youth centres.

And according to police, individuals have been targeted by the same racist.

Material in the letters was described as "particularly offensive and illegal" by hate crime officer Nobby Jutler.

A spokesman for education at Hertfordshire County Council called the letters "deplorable".

"Racists will not be allowed to dictate the policies of the Children, Schools and Families department," she said.

The Watford Observer has also learned that another anonymous letter was recently sent to a Muslim group. It made offensive remarks about Islam and referred to historical massacres of Muslims by Christians in the Spanish peninsular.

This letter riddled with grammatical and historical inaccuracies is typed and appears to be from a different source to the hand written notes. It has not been reported to police.

The news caused alarm among ethnic minority groups.

The letter attacking Islam was promising a repeat destruction of Muslim civilisation, culture and people, according to Mr Mohsin Aslam. "This is referring to ethnic cleansing on a major scale, and they are saying it is going to happen. It is not even a veiled death threat," he said.

Mr Sachdev Seyan, of Watford's Indian Association, said he was particularly concerned at young people being targeted.

Officers from Watford's Hate Crime unit are currently investigating the hand written notes.

Inspector Paul Newell said the matter was being treated "very seriously". Six notes have been reported to police so far.

June 14, 2002 17:30