A couple have spoken of their shock after seeing a swastika graffitied onto a wall in Highgate this morning.

Michael and Clarissa Israel saw the offensive sign, spray-painted in black paint, underneath a street sign in Jackson’s Lane.

The couple, who are Jewish, believe it could be prompted by the Paris terror attacks on Friday evening.

Wine merchant and former Ham&High photographer Mr Israel, 54, said: “I have lived here for 30 years and it has never happened before. I’m just a bit shocked.

“Maybe it is connected to what has been going on in the last week.”

Mrs Israel 42, added: “I feel threatened and I’m scared, I’m really scared, about what is happening in Israel with people stabbing people, and I’m scared about what happened with Charlie Hebdo and all over the world.”

According to Mr Israel, residents living in Southwood Lawn Road are taking action to clean off the offensive graffiti.

A Haringey Council spokeswoman said: “We recognise residents’ shock at this unacceptable graffiti and thank them for bringing it to our attention.

“We aim to remove any obscene or racist graffiti within 24 hours of it being reported and will be taking steps to remove it as soon as possible.”

A police spokesman said: “We are aware of the graffiti on Jackson’s Lane and we are looking into it and making enquiries to have it removed.”

A spokesman for the Community Security Trust, a charity which protects British Jews from anti-semitism, said: “We are aware of it and we have reported it to the council to have it removed.”

Haringey Council is encouraging residents to report graffiti on its website or by calling Veolia on 0208 885 7700.