Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Provocative Islamic sign that says 'Do not walk your dog here! Muslims don't like dogs' investigated by police

Park sign may have been put there by Islamists or EDL, says local MP

Tom Payne
Friday 30 May 2014 08:12 EDT
Comments
The offending sign appeared in Bartlett Park in east London
The offending sign appeared in Bartlett Park in east London (Twitter)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A sign declaring a London park an “Islamic area” and ordering dog walkers to stay away because “Muslims do not like dogs” is being investigated by police.

The warning, branded “alarming and divisive” by the local council, appeared in Bartlett Park in east London’s Poplar.

It read: "Do not walk your dog here! Muslims do not like dogs. This is an Islamic area now."

Local Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick alerted police to the sign after a dog walker complained.

"The question is whether it was put up by the EDL to be provocative or by religious zealots to be racist," he told the Evening Standard.

"It's another facet of intolerance, or, because there's no guarantee it was done by Islamists, it could be those in society who are trying to polarise and divide us."

He called on the culprit responsible for the sign to “pack it in”.

Police have removed the offending message and conducted additional patrols in the area.

"Bartlett Park does not have any history of community tension; however we are investigating the posting of these signs and conducting additional patrols to ensure that community reassurance and confidence are maintained in the area,” Tower Hamlets Borough Commander Dave Stringer said.

A Tower Hamlets council spokesman said the poster was "alarming and divisive".

The investigation is ongoing.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in