Police are investigating a suspected hate crime after racist graffiti was discovered during a break-in at a former bingo hall in Wokingham.
The vacant building on Easthampstead Road, once the Ritz Cinema, was recently acquired by Wokingham Islamic Centre for a proposed community hub.
Thames Valley Police said officers received a report shortly after 9am on Tuesday, 27 October. Building equipment and tools had also been stolen.
Words including “Leave now” were reportedly painted in red inside the property. There were further reports of damage overnight.
A police spokesperson said: “Racist graffiti was found at the premises and building equipment and tools were also stolen from the site. We are treating this as a hate crime and our enquiries are ongoing.”
Plans for former Ritz Cinema
Wokingham Islamic Centre has outlined hopes to bring the long-empty site back into use for educational activities, youth projects, family events and charitable support, alongside limited prayer use.
The group previously said it had not submitted a planning application and sought to correct claims circulating online about the building’s future.
The site opened as a cinema in 1937 before becoming a bingo hall, which operated until 2019.
Anyone with information or relevant footage is asked to contact Thames Valley Police quoting reference 43260561729.
