NORTH Wales Police have released a CCTV image after a black family in Penygroes were targeted with racist graffiti in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A swastika was spray-painted on the garage door of Margaret Ogunbanwo’s home which the mother-of-two subsequently found as she was leaving her house for a walk.

“It stopped me in my tracks,” she said. “And then I thought I better not go for my walk because if someone feels this way towards me and my family I might be putting myself in danger.”

But a defiant Mrs Ogunbanwo, who has lived in Penygroes for 13 years and runs Maggie’s Exotic Foods from the old Red Lion pub, has declined to have the image removed.

“If someone defaces my property I don’t see why I should have to pay for it to be sorted,” she said.

“This is my village; my father is buried in the local cemetery - the people are my people.”

Yet an unexpected spin-off from the shocking incident has been an unprecedented wave of business for Maggie’s Exotic Foods. “It’s been amazing; good has come of bad,” Mrs Ogunbanwo told the Cambrian News.

“The last 72 hours or so have been a roller-coaster ride, I’m not going to lie. I’ve been really hyper but now reality is settling in fast as I realise just how many orders I have to deal with!”

Mrs Ogunbanwo urged anyone who feels they may know the identity of the man in the CCTV image to contact North Wales Police.

“Someone must have an idea who he is,” she added.

North Wales Police confirmed they want to speak to the man as part of their investigation.

Officers believe the Ogunbanwo residence was targeted at around 2am and are urging anyone with information, or who witnessed suspicious behaviour to call 101.

“At a time when racism is a news header, it is unacceptable that members of our community are targeted in this way,” said Inspector Jon Aspinall.

“We treat all hate crime very seriously, and if anyone can help us identify this person, it will be greatly appreciated.

“Contact us via our website, or by phoning 101. You can also phone CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 111 555.”

Cllr Judith Humphreys said: “Following what has happened, the community of Penygroes and beyond have been expressing enormous and solid support for the Ogunbanwo family over the weekend, and the family has inspired us with their strength and dignity.”

MP Hywel Williams condemned the incident. “I stand in solidarity with the family and echo the overwhelming condemnation from within the local community,” he said.

“I know the people of Penygroes and Arfon are disgusted by this foul act. But it will only strengthen our resolve to stand together against the evil stupidity of racism.