Racist graffiti and death threats to a politician have been scrawled on the walls of a store and a medical centre.

The messages were painted on Empire Grocery and North Shore Medical & Aesthetics Centre on North Shore Road in Devonshire.

Patrick DeSilva, a manager at the grocery store, was horrified by the vandalism.

Mr DeSilva saw the vile abuse when he arrived for work at about 6.30am yesterday.

He said: “It’s really ridiculous, it should never happen.

“These people have an opinion — but do not put it on people’s property, defacing it.”

He added that he had “no idea” who was behind the graffiti and that police had launched an investigation.

Mr DeSilva, whose mother owns the business, said customers were also “appalled” when they saw the scrawls.

He added: “They said that should never be done.”

Mr DeSilva said the One Bermuda Alliance MP whose name was included in the vandal’s writing had visited the shop after the incident.

Kyjuan Brown, the medical director of NMAC, was also upset by the damage to his building.

He said: “Clearly, their issue is not with us, but with the Government.

“If they want to make a political or public statement, they need not use my wall.”

Dr Brown said the wall was a “great platform” for the vandal to get their message out.

He added: “It’s a shame that it’s at our expense.”

Dr Brown contacted police over the damage and made a complaint.

He said: “They apparently know who the person is, as this is not the first time they have vandalised people’s property.”

A roadside wall near the overpass at Marsh Folly Road in Pembroke was also daubed with similar graffiti.

Walter Roban, MP for Pembroke East, said the vandalism was “slanderous”.

He added in a post made on Facebook: “I wish to condemn such acts of community disrespect.

“The owners, workers and patrons of these establishments deserve respect and I am outraged by such behaviour.”

Mr Roban said: “It is important that we voice our views and opinions in a respectful manner and do not partake in efforts to use vandalism to voice or views.

“This behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Mr Roban said that anyone with information about the vandalism should contact police.

Craig Cannonier, the leader of the One Bermuda Alliance, condemned the graffiti and described it as “vile” and “appalling”.

He added: “This kind of thing has no place in our society.”

Mr Cannonier said: “This is not the first time we have seen this kind of thing and it has to stop.”

A spokesman for the Bermuda Police Service said that officers were first alerted to the damage at about 6.30am.

He said: “The graffiti was documented and reassurance provided to the staff of both businesses.”

Police asked anyone with information to contact 295-0011.