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PM targeted in hate mail campaign | PM targeted in hate mail campaign |
(8 minutes later) | |
The prime minister was among dozens of people across the UK who were targeted by a poison pen letter writer. | The prime minister was among dozens of people across the UK who were targeted by a poison pen letter writer. |
Police are trying to find who is responsible for more than 50 racially and sexually abusive letters. | Police are trying to find who is responsible for more than 50 racially and sexually abusive letters. |
Gordon Brown's Fife constituency office received a letter in April, while others were sent to mosques, hospitals, universities and private homes. | Gordon Brown's Fife constituency office received a letter in April, while others were sent to mosques, hospitals, universities and private homes. |
Much of the hate mail, mostly posted from Hampshire, includes references to "repatriation" and "exit Europe". | Much of the hate mail, mostly posted from Hampshire, includes references to "repatriation" and "exit Europe". |
The first letter was sent in January 2007 with the most recent sent to a private address in Havant, Hampshire, in July 2009. | The first letter was sent in January 2007 with the most recent sent to a private address in Havant, Hampshire, in July 2009. |
They have also been received in Derbyshire, Merseyside, Lincolnshire and Bedfordshire. | They have also been received in Derbyshire, Merseyside, Lincolnshire and Bedfordshire. |
I am concerned that the person who sent it is not mentally stable. The language is appalling Janet Fleming, head teacher | I am concerned that the person who sent it is not mentally stable. The language is appalling Janet Fleming, head teacher |
These forces had initially been conducting separate investigations until Hampshire Police set up Operation Heron in January 2009 to co-ordinate the search. | These forces had initially been conducting separate investigations until Hampshire Police set up Operation Heron in January 2009 to co-ordinate the search. |
One of the letters was sent to Somers Park Primary School in Portsmouth. | One of the letters was sent to Somers Park Primary School in Portsmouth. |
Head teacher Janet Fleming said: "The content of the letter was sickening. | Head teacher Janet Fleming said: "The content of the letter was sickening. |
"But I would want to assure parents that this is a perfectly safe environment for their children to be in and that all the steps necessary to keep children safe were in place and still are in place. | "But I would want to assure parents that this is a perfectly safe environment for their children to be in and that all the steps necessary to keep children safe were in place and still are in place. |
The police say the campaign has a wide range of targets | The police say the campaign has a wide range of targets |
"I am concerned that the person who sent it is not mentally stable. The language is appalling." | "I am concerned that the person who sent it is not mentally stable. The language is appalling." |
Ms Fleming believes the school was targeted because of the ethnic mix of its pupils where English is the second language for 26% of children. | Ms Fleming believes the school was targeted because of the ethnic mix of its pupils where English is the second language for 26% of children. |
Police said similarities in handwriting and content suggested the letters were the work of one person, with most of the mail postmarked Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. | Police said similarities in handwriting and content suggested the letters were the work of one person, with most of the mail postmarked Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. |
Det Insp Donna Goff, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: "Many of the letters people have found extremely distressing. | Det Insp Donna Goff, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: "Many of the letters people have found extremely distressing. |
"Many people have felt extremely victimised by the letters." | "Many people have felt extremely victimised by the letters." |
The letters do not target a particular race, culture or religious group but are all pro-English, investigators said. | The letters do not target a particular race, culture or religious group but are all pro-English, investigators said. |
The inquiry will feature on the BBC1's Crimewatch programme on Tuesday night when officers will appeal for assistance in tracing the culprit. | The inquiry will feature on the BBC1's Crimewatch programme on Tuesday night when officers will appeal for assistance in tracing the culprit. |