The Greenwich and Blackheath community has been left in shock this morning after anti-Semitic graffiti was daubed on businesses overnight.

In what council leader Danny Thorpe described as the “most shocking and offensive” graffiti he had ever seen, swastikas, messages supporting white power, and symbols depicting the Star of David, were plastered on windows and brickwork in thick white paint.

Peninsula councillor Stephen Brain shared an image showing the vandalism to Barclays Bank in Vanbrugh Park, Blackheath Standard.

Greenwich Council quickly confirmed it was aware of the incidents and as of midday it is understood the graffiti at the bank has already been temporarily covered up.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Greenwich and Woolwich MP, Matthew Pennycook, said: “Absolutely sickened by the anti-Semitic and white supremacist graffiti daubed on Barclays bank at the Blackheath Standard and other local shops overnight.

“I will not give the racists who carried out these disgusting acts the satisfaction of reproducing images of the hate they want to see spread in our community.

“I’m liaising with the Police and I've been up to the Standard myself this morning to check and the Council have already painted over the graffiti on the Barclays as a temporary measure until it can be permanently removed.

“These crimes are a stark reminder of the rise in white supremacism and Jew hatred in our country and, when it comes to the latter, of the need to never be complacent about the unique and constantly mutating form of prejudice that is anti-Semitism.”

Other images uploaded to social media also showed a nearby Caribbean takeaway in Bramshot Avenue, Charlton, had also been the victim of similar vandalism.

Council leader Danny Thorpe echoed Mr Pennycook’s statement, commenting: “I’m absolutely disgusted and appalled to see this vile, anti-Semitic racist graffiti that has appeared in Blackheath overnight. I’m appealing to anyone in the Blackheath area who saw anything to contact us today.

“Our out of hours team have worked throughout the night to cover the graffiti, which is the most shocking and offensive I’ve ever seen. It’s on the doors, windows and stonework of the bank. I’m also asking everyone across Greenwich to notify us of any others.

“Tomorrow, we are coming together at Woolwich town hall for our annual Holocaust Memorial Day event. 75 years on from the holocaust, it is clear that the evil of anti-Semitism has returned and has to be confronted again. All are welcome to the Town Hall at 10am in Woolwich.

“We’ve seen racism and hatred on our streets before in Greenwich and we will do what we’ve done before. Stand together, as one community, and work together to challenge such evil head on.”

A Met Police spokesman said: "Officers are investigating a report of anti-Semitic and racist graffiti on a bank on Vanbrugh Park which is believed to have occurred between 10 and 11pm on Saturday, 25 January.

"We are also aware of similar graffiti on a takeaway on Bramshot Avenue, SE7.

"Enquiries are ongoing and if you have any information that could help the investigation please call 101 and quote CAD 340/26Jan"