Police in Markethill are investigating two reports of racist graffiti discovered on Tuesday 30 June, both being treated as racially motivated hate crimes.

Shortly after 8.30 am, officers received a report of graffiti sprayed onto the side wall of a commercial building in the Fairgreen area. The property, a phone shop, had previously been targeted on Tuesday 23 June, when the words “Muslims Out” were daubed on the premises. The latest markings included the words “Get Out”, a target symbol on the shop shutter, and a further mark aimed at the business owner.

At approximately 9.45 am, a further report was made of similar graffiti on a second property in the Main Street area. This building is occupied by Good People, a learning disability service and recruitment company. The graffiti there read “Locals Only”, “Landlords be warned”, and featured a target sign. The premises had suffered an arson attack four months earlier.

Both incidents are being investigated as criminal damage and are racially motivated, police said. Detectives are appealing for anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area to come forward.

Information can be passed to police on 101, quoting reference number 311 of 30/06/26, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.