Police in Belfast are investigating an apparent “race hate” incident after two pigs’s heads with racially offensive writing on them were left outside a property in the north of the city on Saturday morning.
A PSNI spokesman said it was being treated as a race-hate incident.
Chief inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick said police received a report at about 10.30am that pigs’ heads with racially offensive language written on them had been left outside a property at Northumberland Street.
Officers were investigating the incident which, he said, must be condemned by by all.
“I am appealing to anyone who has any information about this incident to pass that information on to officers Tennent Street or to Crimestoppers at 0800 555111,” Chief Insp Kirkpatrick said. Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann condemned the incident and said the building was used for community events.
“It would no doubt have been distressing to come across such a gruesome sight,” said Mr McCann. “All places of worship should be treated with respect.”
“The fact that anti-Islamic slogans were written the pig’s heads makes this all the more sinister and disgusting,” he said. “There can be no place for hate crimes in our society and all forms of sectarianism, racism and discrimination must be opposed.”
Chief Inspector Kirkpatrick has appealed to anyone with information on the incident to contact Tennent Street police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.