Two racist signs erected outside a primary school in Lurgan have been removed by the PSNI following attacks on multiple homes in the area.
The signs were tied to a fence outside the local primary school at Pollock Drive in the Mourneview Estate in the Co Armagh town and refer to “local homes for local people” and to “Islamic state”.
Police are treating the signs as a potential racially-motivated public order offence and have started an investigation.
The erection of the signs at Dickson Primary School comes after four properties were attacked by a crowd in the area last Thursday evening.
A man was arrested at one of the properties following an earlier report that day of a suspicious approach being made to a child at a nearby play park.
He was arrested on suspicion of assault.
During the arrest, the house was attacked and had its windows smashed. Police later received a report of three separate properties having their windows smashed, but have confirmed the residents of those properties were unconnected to the previous incidents.
A senior PSNI officer in the area described the attacks on homes as a “a disgrace and will not be tolerated”.
District Commander, Superintendent Brendan Green said: “Each incident will be robustly investigated and we will do everything in our power to bring people to justice for these hateful crimes.
“I want to assure the community that Police have stepped up patrols in the area and will continue to work with local representatives and the community going forward.
“We will ensure that any victim who comes forward is fully supported.”
On Tuesday, Superintendent Green said the signs were removed by his officers and are being treated as a “potential racially-motivated public order offence.”
Upper Bann MLA and Alliance deputy leader Eóin Tennyson said the signs were “racist propaganda” and should be “roundly condemned”.
Mr Tennyson said: “There is no place for racism in our society. It is appalling that this racist propaganda has been sprawled outside a primary school, seeking to intimidate young children and their families.
“Those behind this incident are not representative of the vast majority of people in Lurgan, and must be roundly condemned.
“I would urge anyone with information to bring it to the police immediately.”
