The Board of Deputies has condemned Islamophobic vandalism of a South London Islamic centre, describing the anti-Muslim graffiti as “appalling”.

Scotland Yard said police officers were called to the North Brixton Islamic Cultural Centre at around 11am on New Year’s Day following reports that “anti-Islamic slogans” had been spray painted on a nearby building.

It followed a spate of antisemitic graffiti in Hampstead and Belsize Park on the night of December 28.

On Thursday, a Board of Deputies spokesman tweeted: “The latest anti-Islamic graffiti found on a building near an Islamic centre in Brixton is appalling.

“Let’s hope the perpetrators can be found and prosecuted for this vile and cowardly behaviour.”

Inquiries are ongoing at this time as part of a full investigation, the force added.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said he was “disgusted” by the graffiti, which comes just days after antisemitic symbols were daubed across several shop fronts and a synagogue in north London.

Mr Khan tweeted: “Disgusted to hear that Islamophobic slogans have been spray painted near the North Brixton Islamic Centre.

“@metpoliceuk are working with Lambeth Council to have them removed, but let me be clear: all prejudice is cowardly and criminals will face the full force of the law.”