They removed the tweet today (Picture: PA)

A police force has deleted social media posts about Islamophobia Awareness Month after users pointed out its logo was similar to a hand gesture popular with Islamic State (IS) militants.

Bedfordshire Police tweeted their support for the annual campaign, led by charity Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend), on Tuesday afternoon but removed them on Wednesday.

Government fails to answer if casual sex is illegal under new coronavirus rules

The logo features a hand with the index finger pointing upwards, a favoured gesture of followers of IS, also known as Isis, in propaganda photographs.

The force said: ‘It has come to our attention the pointing finger logo used to illustrate social media posts around Islamophobia Awareness Month is similar to that used by Isis. The logo was produced by a national charity and was used in good faith.


We have deleted Islamophobia Awareness posts. The logo was produced by a national organisation & used in good faith https://t.co/VzbUvKRXC3 — Bedfordshire Police (@bedspolice) November 16, 2016

‘As a consequence and to avoid offence, Bedfordshire Police has deleted these posts and will not tolerate Islamophobia or any other form of hatred or discrimination.’



A spokesman added: ‘We had a number of people point it out and we have removed it. I could not tell you what faith they came from.’

@bedspolice When is your campaign to raise awareness of apostasy violence, honour violence, forced marriage, FGM? I'd be happy to help. — Anne Marie Waters (@AMDWaters) November 15, 2016