A CCTV image has been released by police investigating racist graffiti sprayed on the wall of a bar in Herne Hill.
On Monday May 25 staff at Dee Dee’s jazz bar discovered the N-word sprayed across the front wall.
Police say it was carried out at around 1 am and have now released an image of a man they wish to speak to in connection with the crime.
Following the incident, a local teacher was accused on social media of spraying the graffiti.
However, police have established that Thomas Turnham was not in London at the time of the incident and have ruled him out as a suspect.
Turnham later told the Evening Standard that his life had been “ripped apart” by the false accusations.
Police have also said that they believe that the suspect is not, as previously thought, one of a group of tourists who were staying at a flat nearby.
Last week, the bar posted a message on its website thanking the local community for their support.
The Dee Dee’s team said: “We have received so much support from so many that we really and truly feel inspired and hopeful in a situation which frankly left us bewildered, violated and down-heartened.
“On the very day it happened, we had one very kind neighbour lend us some sheets to cover the obscene language, and since then a stream of well wishers checking that we were OK. We have been inundated with encouraging messages to focus on the good that we are doing, rather than the negativity of the incident.”
Anyone with information about the incident, or who can identify the man shown in the CCTV image, should call the Southwark Community Safety Unit on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Racism belongs to the past. some people are so sick in the head I don’t know how they can be helped. Good to know the authorities are pursuing the issue.