Villagers have expressed their revulsion after flags in support of Ukraine were spray painted with swastikas.
Householders in Shotesham, near Norwich, have been flying the Ukrainian flag since the start of the conflict as a show of solidarity following the country's invasion by Russia.
But the quiet village has been thrown into shock after the Nazi symbol was daubed on the blue and yellow flags, as well as on a house where a flag was being flown.
Police have launched a hate crime investigation into the vandalism that took place on Sunday night or the early hours of Monday - and have confirmed they believe three incidents are linked.
Judie Olivier, who was away when the flag at her home on The Street in the centre of the village was targeted, said: “It’s extremely shocking and upsetting.
“It is horrible to think someone would go out with the intention of doing this. You don’t go out with a spray can unless you intend to use it.
“The police have been informed and have been out. It’s in their hands and they are treating it as a hate crime. There have also apparently been other incidents.”
Tom Higgin, 63, who woke up to a swastika also spray painted on the side of his house and who had Jewish ancestry, said it was a “vile hate crime”.
“My wife and I have been quite upset and shocked at this and everyone from the village who has been in touch is equally appalled,” he added.
Fellow villager Raz Woollacott, 74, who has also been flying the flag because of his personal connections to Ukraine, said the village intended to show its defiance.
The part-Ukrainian - whose grandparents left the country to settle in London in 1905 - said: “We are ordering several more flags for other people to put up. That is our response to this to show that we won’t be intimidated.
“I cannot understand why they would want to do this knowing what is going on in Ukraine.”
The former Norfolk County Council countryside officer is among those who registered to take a family the day the government launched its 'Homes for Ukraine' website.
His wife Laura said since the start of the conflict the village had raised over £3,000 in aid of the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
“There is just shock in the village that someone would do this,” she said. “A swastika is such an unpleasant and shocking thing.
“It gave me goosebumps when we saw them. I just felt sick to my stomach to think someone would do that here.”
A Norfolk Constabulary spokesperson confirmed: "Police are appealing for information in relation to hate incidents carried out in in south Norfolk.
"Officers believe that three reports involving Nazi symbols being spray painted on Ukrainian flags and a property over the last few days are linked.
"The first hate incident involved a swastika being spray painted onto a Ukrainian flag and was reported to have happened between 8am on Friday 13 May to 5pm on Saturday 14 May at Cheney’s Lane, Forncett St Mary.
"A second hate incident, where a Nazi symbol was sprayed onto a Ukrainian flag, occurred at a property in The Street, Shotesham All Saints, between 10.30pm on Sunday 15 May and 6.30am on Monday 16 May.
"A third hate incident was reported between the same times and location but at a different property where the exterior wall and flag had been vandalised with a Nazi symbol.
"Anyone with information should contact PC Matthew Pummell at Norfolk Constabulary on 101 quoting the relevant crime reference. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org."
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