Four men have been charged in connection with alleged hate crimes after pig's heads were reportedly left outside schools in Rainham.

The quartet will appear in court next week charged with racially aggravated criminal damage.

The charges follow three incidents on July 26 where pig's heads were allegedly left outside schools in Upminster Road South and Lambs Lane South, and a youth centre in Viking Way, Rainham.

The Recorder was previously told by Dagenham and Rainham MP Margaret Mullane that one of the heads was allegedly left outside Harris Academy Rainham, which is in Lambs Lane South.

The only school in Upminster Road South is Rainham Village Primary School.

We previously contacted the two schools and Royals Youth Centre in Viking Way but did not receive a response. 

Officers were called to the first incident at 4am. Graffiti was also allegedly found at the venues. 

RELATED: Pig's heads left outside Rainham schools and youth centre

All four men are from Brentwood and were charged today (August 2).

They are Harvey Wells, 20, of Springfield Avenue; James Desbois, 29, of Cricketers Lane; Josh Campbell, 23, of Woodland Avenue and Jazim Jones, 30, also of Woodland Avenue.

The men are due to appear at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on August 9.