Police in Northern Ireland are investigating the theft of a Union flag from outside a school in Maghera. The incident occurred overnight between 5pm on Friday 17 April and 8am on Monday 20 April.

The PSNI is treating the theft as a hate crime. Enquiries remain ongoing. A PSNI spokesperson stated that anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting reference 1293 of 20/04/26.

Local representative Mr Buchanan reported the matter to the PSNI as a sectarian hate crime. He stated that no school should be targeted in this way and that communities should not tolerate behaviour intended to intimidate or divide. He urged anyone with information to assist the police investigation and said those involved in property damage or sectarian intimidation should face full legal consequences.