A series of threatening and racist posters and graffiti have appeared in loyalist areas.

The most recent examples appeared in Newtownabbey, north of Belfast. One poster placed on a number of lamp-posts read: “Take notice. Anyone facilitating the settlement of Muslims or illegals in our areas will be held responsible. We are watching.”

Target signs were also scrawled next to the words “NIHE (NI Housing Executive) staff” and “landlords” in at least one location.

Graffiti bearing the words ‘Locals only’ was also sprayed on boarded-up windows of a property that had been smashed, and on shop shutters beside a local primary school.

Misspelt graffiti declared “the Rathcoole people want no foriegn national’s in are area”.

Last week, graffiti on a shopfront near a primary school also read ‘locals only’, following incidents in recent weeks in which windows were smashed. Additional graffiti reading “evict locals at your own risk” was also reported.

Sinn Féin MP John Finucane condemned the incidents, calling it “naked racism”.

He said: “Messages such as these are disgusting and serve only to spread hatred and division.

“Political and community leaders must be vocal and unequivocal in condemning this for what it is: naked racism.

“The majority of people in our communities, thankfully, reject such vile behaviour.”

He added: “There is no place in our society for racist or hate-filled graffiti designed to intimidate local communities and spread fear.

“All political leaders must be unequivocal in condemning this disgraceful behaviour.

“Anyone with information should contact the police so those responsible can be held accountable.”

Separately, bonfire builders in east Belfast have daubed racist slogans near pallets being prepared for the annual bonfires on the eve of ‘the Twelfth’, the height of the Protestant marching season.

A ‘No N****rs’ slogan was placed at the entrance to a hut providing shelter for local wood collectors, as well as target signs.

In County Tyrone, a racist display claiming ‘Muslims are not welcome’ has also been put up at a children’s play park in Moygashel, near Dungannon. The large sign has been fixed to the fence of a play area owned by the local council.

It includes an image of a group of white people and children playing in a brightly coloured play park. A Union Jack flag can be seen along with what appears to be a former British Army soldier, with medals on his chest, standing beside a sign that reads “welcome to Moygashel Playpark”.

The image also includes several men, believed to represent Muslims, wearing headscarves and beards in a dark-coloured setting.

In front of them is a barrier and a stop sign while a small white man can be seen holding up his hand in a ‘halt’ motion. He is wearing a hi-vis vest with the words ‘our community, our rules”.

The image also includes the words “not welcome, not wanted, not here”.

SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn described the latest signage as “one of the most disgraceful images I have seen displayed in a public space in Mid Ulster”.

“It’s vile, racist and to put this kind of racist messaging on the fence of a children’s play park is absolutely shameful,” he said.

“The imagery and language used here is chilling — it is the sort of thing you would expect to see in 1930s Germany, not in Dungannon in 2026.

The SDLP councillor said the display should be removed.

“Our parks should be safe and welcoming spaces for every child and every family, regardless of their background, nationality, religion or skin colour,” he said.

“No community is made stronger by hatred, fear or scapegoating.

“This sign should be removed immediately and those responsible should take a serious look at the message they are putting in front of children.”