Police say they are treating recent incidents of criminal damage in Markethill as racially motivated hate crime.

Shortly after 8.30am on Tuesday, June 30, they received a report that graffiti had been sprayed on the wall at the site of commercial premises.

Ttis is the second time that this building has been targeted, with graffiti being sprayed on Tuesday, June 23.

It was further reported at approximately 9.45am of similar graffiti on another property in the Markethill area.

Police are investigating a report of criminal damage caused to commercial premises in Markethill. Picture: Pacemaker (stock image).

placeholder image — Police are investigating a report of criminal damage caused to commercial premises in Markethill. Picture: Pacemaker (stock image).

“Both reports are being treated as a racially motivated hate crime, and officers are appealing for anyone who might have seen any suspicious activity in the area, or have any information which could assist with enquiries, to get in touch,” a PSNI spokesperson confirmed.

The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 311 of 30/06/26.

You can submit a report online using the witness appeal form at https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/