Ald McRandal has said: “Everyone deserves to feel safe, welcome, and respected where they live, and to live free from intimidation. To see these types of signs appearing in our area is totally disgraceful, and it should be roundly condemned by all.

“Our community on the whole is one which is open and welcoming. Those responsible for these signs speak solely for themselves and seek only to try and drag us backwards. However, this only reinforces the importance of our incoming mayor’s focus on promoting equality and working to ensure everyone who lives in Ards and North Down feels like they belong here.

“We have reported this matter to the local PSNI and will continue engaging with them with the aim of seeing the signs swiftly removed.”