Police remove racist posters in Rathcoole amid concern over 'the length of time they had been in situ'
Police have confirmed they took action to remove anti-immigration posters in Rathcoole recently amid concerns about how long they were in place.
A number of signs, which also carried anti-Muslim material, were erected in the estate in August. They were removed by PSNI officers after discussions with partner agencies.
A PSNI spokesperson stated: “Police are aware of posters which were erected in the Rathcoole area, a number of weeks ago.
“Material of this kind is totally unacceptable and whilst we had sought the support of partner agencies in relation to the removal of these posters from their property and discussions had been ongoing, the length of time they had been in situ was a significant concern for us.
“These have been removed by officers and their placement is being treated as a hate crime. We’ll continue to engage with the community and representatives in the area, alongside partner agencies.
“Anyone with information which could assist with our enquiries can contact 101, or make a report via www.psni.police.uk/report"
Meanwhile, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has defended its response to the issue after PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton suggested it was the responsibility of the DfI to remove the posters.
Speaking to BBC Northern Ireland, the senior police officer said: “I think they have been there from August 4 and it’s taken far too long to have them removed. Ultimately, the responsibility to remove anything from lampposts, we’d say is the responsibility of the Department for Infrastructure.”
In a statement to the Newtownabbey Times on Wednesday (September 25), a DfI spokesperson said: “Racism is a scourge in our society, and there can be no tolerance for hatred and discrimination in our communities.
"Earlier this month, the Minister for Infrastructure wrote to the Chief Constable to highlight the racist and discriminatory nature of these signs and to request that the police remove them.
“The Department has been clear that when a crime has been committed, it’s for the PSNI to investigate and to act to resolve matters. It appears that the PSNI do, in fact, believe that these posters constitute a hate crime and so it is right that the police act.”