A JEWISH dad has condemned the culprits who drew a swastika, accompanied by the word “Hitler”, on the floor of an Andover playpark.

Jay Rubinstein has branded the chalk drawings offensive, after they were discovered in a children’s play area on Shaw Close last week.

The dad-of-three, a nonobservant Jew, believes the images could particularly upset members of Andover’s Jewish community.

Mr Rubinstein, who lives near Weyhill Road, said: “This is the kind of thing that can create fear and anxiety.

"I’m a bit tougher than that but it depends on your level of sensitivity.

“For some people, seeing that image could certainly cause fear.”

Mr Rubinstein was with two of his young daughters when he discovered the images on Easter Sunday.

The 42-year-old, who has lived in Andover for more than a decade, said: “My daughter pointed the swastika out to me. Then I saw ‘Hitler’ written on the ground.

“I was shocked, but it comes at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise in this country.”

The swastika is regarded as anti-Semitic, due to its use by the fascist Nazi party.

Under Adolf Hitler, the party murdered six million Jews during the four-yearlong genocide known as the Holocaust.

Asked what message he had for the culprits, Mr Rubinstein added: “Please be aware of how offensive this is.”

Police believe it was written between 8pm on Friday, April 14 and 3.30pm on Sunday, April 16.

PC Anna Davies, of Andover police station, said: “Incidents like this one are not acceptable, as they can cause great harm and offence.” Call 101, quoting 44170142148.