POLICE officers are appealing for information about Islamophobic posters, which linked Muslims with child grooming gangs.

Muslims were outraged after spotting the posters in different parts of Worcester, including Lowesmoor, Tolladine, Ronkswood and other areas.

West Mercia Police removed one of the posters from Tallow Hill, Worcester, and treated the incident as a hate crime.

The Worcester Muslim Welfare Association condemned the posters as an attempt to sow division within the city.

Inspector Tanya Beckett, from Worcester Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "Officers investigating reports of an offensive poster being put up in the Tallow Hill area and are continuing to appeal for information from members of the public.

"A number of lines of enquiry have now been completed but we are still actively appealing for any new information that could help identify the person responsible for putting up the poster.

"We are committed to working with our partners and with all members of our communities to show that any behaviour designed to incite hate or create division in the neighbourhoods we serve will not be tolerated."

The posters stated 'Protect Children ... Fight Grooming Gangs', with the latter half of this message appearing in Arabic typography.

A far-right group called the British Renaissance Policy Institute claimed responsibility for the posters after they appeared in August.

Anyone with information about the posters can ring the police on 101, quoting incident number 450s of August 26.