A 'shameful' slogan spray painted on the wall of a Co Down high school is being treated as a hate crime, police have confirmed.
SDLP Councillor John Trainor has branded the 'Soldier F - 1 IRA - 0' phrase sprayed on the entrance to Down High as 'offensive.'
He told Belfast Live: "This is a shameful act of sectarian graffiti which I view as a hate crime and it does not reflect our town.
"Downpatrick is a welcoming place where respect is shown to all residents irregardless of creed, culture, religion or race.
"Those who have decided to do this do not speak for the majority of people here.
"There are many families who were impacted by the troubles including some by collusion with the security forces and this does not help to heal those wounds which are still very fresh.
"I condemn this act and all graffiti that is sectarian in nature which seeks to cause offence and hurt to a particular section of our community.
"I have kindly asked the Education Authority to clean the historic arch that it was daubed on and if it isn't cleaned by Monday I will go and attempt to clean it myself."
Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
A PSNI spokesperson said: "On Friday 16 August police received a report that graffiti had been daubed on a high school in Mount Crescent in Downpatrick .
"The incident is being treated as a hate crime.
"Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting reference 988 16/08/19."
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