HANAU, Germany (AP) — Police in Germany said Thursday they were investigating the appearance of swastikas painted with human blood and smeared on dozens of cars, some mailboxes, and building facades in the central town of Hanau.

Police spokesman Thomas Leipold said officers were alerted Wednesday night when a man reported that he noticed the shape of a swastika applied in a reddish liquid on the hood of a parked car. Police said that almost 50 cars had been defaced in a similar way.