Officers no longer want to speak to a man in connection with their probe into an incident where an Islamic place of worship and community centre was vandalised.

The South Essex Islamic Community Centre, formerly the Barge Inn pub, in Vange, had been vandalised with red graffiti stating “should be pub”.

Police wanted to speak to a man pictured in a CCTV appeal in connection with an investigation into racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage in Vange.

It was reported someone had spray painted on the side of the South Essex Islamic Trust building in High Road at around 11.25am on May 29.

Officers enquiries continue.

After the incident, councillor Yetunde Adeshile called out the unknown culprit and urged for respect to be shown to the centre.

Read more >>> 'Unacceptable' graffiti scrawled on Islamic place of worship by vandal

She said: “We are here as a community to build relationships with each other and to live with each other as good neighbours.

“That kind of stuff does not demonstrate good neighbourly character and we cannot tolerate it here in the town.

“It is totally unacceptable and rude. They have just got here, and it is tough enough for them moving into a building people were attached to, it’s hard on them, and hard on everybody, but what we have is a good group of people making use of a building that would otherwise be vacant.

“We have to learn to accept each other for who we are. It’s not about what religion someone is, we should all be valued as individuals. We must make Vange a place for everyone.”

Anyone with information can submit a report online at essex.police.uk or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.

Quote crime reference number 42/143464/22.

You can also call police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.