A sign declaring a London park an “Islamic area” and ordering dog walkers to stay away because “Muslims do not like dogs” is being investigated by police.

The warning, branded “alarming and divisive” by the local council, appeared in Bartlett Park in east London’s Poplar.

It read: "Do not walk your dog here! Muslims do not like dogs. This is an Islamic area now."

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Local Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick alerted police to the sign after a dog walker complained.

"The question is whether it was put up by the EDL to be provocative or by religious zealots to be racist," he told the Evening 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 called on the culprit responsible for the sign to “pack it in”.

Police have removed the offending message and conducted additional patrols in the area.

"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,” Tower Hamlets Borough Commander Dave Stringer said.

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

The investigation is ongoing.