Police investigate racist twitter messages

Racist twitter messages aimed at professional footballer Carlton Cole are being investigated by police.

The England and West Ham player highlighted the messages on the social networking site which he received following his club’s defeat at Swansea on Saturday.

The 28-year-old forward was targeted by the supposed Hammers’ fan in two foul-mouthed postings after the side lost 3-0 in south Wales.

Essex police confirmed yesterday that an investigation is underway to establish the source of the messages.

The comments, which the player retweeted from his account, questioned his performance and used a racist term to describe him.

Cole replied: “Whether I am crap or had a bad game has nothing to with my race, creed or religion.”