Police have removed an anti-immigration banner from a play park in Moygashel, County Tyrone, and confirmed the matter is now being investigated as a criminal offence.

The banner was erected on Friday 29 May and taken down by officers on the morning of Friday 5 June. It showed a standard play park scene on one side. The other side showed an image of bearded men intended to represent Muslims behind a barrier, with the words “Not Welcome, Not Wanted, Not Here.”

A PSNI statement said the incident was initially treated as a hate incident and that placing the banner is now being investigated as a criminal offence. Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 891 29/05/26, or report anonymously to Crimestoppers.

Mid Ulster SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn said the banner had racist undertones and was designed to intimidate people of different skin colour or faith. He said Dungannon is one of the most multicultural towns in Northern Ireland and that the display was the latest in a series of similar incidents in the area, including a bonfire effigy and a sign stating “No illegal immigrants for the next mile.”

Quinn acknowledged the legal steps police must take but said investigations should move faster because of the fear such messages create. He added that those responsible do not represent the people of Moygashel or Dungannon and urged people not to be intimidated by them.

Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomed the removal of the banner. He said it was erected solely to sow hate and division and that there is no place in society for racism. Those responsible, he added, have nothing to offer the community.

SDLP Dungannon councillor Karol McQuade also welcomed the police action. He said the banner was a clear attempt to make families feel unwelcome at a council facility and that the people of Moygashel do not support such messages. He described the area as one of the most diverse communities in Northern Ireland and urged the people behind the banner to let people live in peace.