Vile antisemitic graffiti including swastikas and “F*** the Jews” has been scrawled in bunkers of a UK golf course.

The awful symbols and words were discovered on Friday morning at Hendon Golf Club in London, which is located in an area with a significant Jewish population and just minutes from a synagogue.

The local community has been left absolutely reeling by the vandalism that’s now being investigated by the police – with the racist act being called “sickening”, “horrifying” and “disgusting” by social media users.

David Pinto-Duschinsky, the Labour MP for Hendon branded it “utterly appalling”.

He said on X: “I am aware of the disgusting antisemitic message/graffiti that was left at Hendon Golf Club.

“It’s utterly appalling. I’ve reported it to the police and the CST and will be talking to the Club. It’s completely unacceptable. I want the people who did this caught and punished.”

Local community group – Inside Mill Hill and Edgware – also expressed their total dismay on X.

It posted: “We used to say we live is one of the safest places for Jews to live in. I can no longer say that unfortunately.

“Antisemitism rearing its awful head at Hendon Golf Club, let’s hope the culprits are apprehended with haste!”

Hendon Golf Club said in a statement: “In the early hours of Friday, 11th October 2024, Hendon Golf Club was the victim of race-related vandalism,” reports journalist Nicole Lampert.

“Anti-Semitic wording and symbols were drawn in a number of the bunkers.

“These have now been removed, the Police and Community Security Trust have been informed and the matter is now in their hands.”

The Metropolitan Police said the force was alerted shortly before 9am on Friday after staff at the golf club “reported offensive and antisemitic messages had been raked into bunkers on the course”..

The force told Express.co.uk: “There was also damage caused to signs and property at the club. The incident is being investigated as a racially aggravated hate crime.

“There has been no arrests and enquiries continue.”

They said anyone with information should call 101 or report on X @MetCC and quote reference CAD1690/11Oct. Anonymous reports can be made to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Branch of the North West Command Unit which covers Barnet said: “We are aware of the shock and distress that this incident has caused, especially coming at a time when the Jewish community is celebrating Yom Kippur.

“The incident is being investigated as a racially aggravated hate crime and work is ongoing, led by officers from the North West community safety unit, to identify and arrest whoever is responsible for this.

“Following the incident we have attended the golf course to support the club and have spoken to community leaders to ensure they are updated on the progress of this investigation. Local residents will also continue to see a visible police presence in and around key areas across our boroughs.

“We take all incidents of hate crime extremely seriously and I would urge anyone with information that could assist us in this investigation to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD1690/11Oct. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”