HATE messages have been painted across a Freemasons building.

Abusive language, which was thought to be anti-Semitic, were daubed across the front and side walls of the Harwich Masonic Hall in Main Road.

The offensive language appeared sometime between 7pm on Monday, January 28 and 9am Tuesday, January 29.

The police are now investigating.

A spokesman said: “We would like to hear from anyone with information, or who saw someone acting suspiciously.

“We would also ask for people who may have seen someone coming home with paint on their clothes to contact officers at Harwich police station.”

The words have now been painted over.

Anyone with information should call Harwich police on 101.