Police were today investigating a sign telling pet owners to stay out of an east London park because "Muslims do not like dogs".

The warning, in Bartlett Park, Poplar, said: "Do not walk your dog here! Muslims do not like dogs. This is an Islamic area now."

It was today branded "unacceptable" and "provocative" by an MP who called in police after being alerted to the sign by a concerned dog walker.

Labour's Jim Fitzpatrick called on police to find out if it was put up by "religious zealots" or a far-right group such as the English Defence League (EDL).

"The question is whether it was put up to be provocative or by religious zealots to be racist," the Poplar and Limehouse MP told the 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 added: "Whichever side it was ought not to be able to get away with it and whoever's responsible ought to pack it in."

Police have removed the signs and stepped up the presence of officers in the area after being alerted to them by Mr Fitzpatrick yesterday.

Tower Hamlets Borough Commander Dave Stringer said: "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. At this time we retain an open mind concerning the motive behind the putting up of these signs."

He added: "We will continue to work with our borough partners to ensure that Tower Hamlets remains a safe and secure place to live work and raise families."

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

“We have been alerted to a fly-poster stuck on a sign post near Bartlett Park, E14. We have removed it and are liaising with the police to investigate this alarming and divisive poster.



"The council actively promotes the No Place for Hate campaign whereby people of different faiths, cultures, lifestyles and backgrounds live in harmony. This means we support community cohesion and would not want the actions of any individual or small group to impact on this.”