British Transport Police (BTP) have released a CCTV image of a man they are trying to identify as part of an investigation into a number of homophobic stickers which have been put up around Hackney and Tower Hamlets.

The stickers, found at various locations over the past two months, feature a rainbow flag with a red line through it with the message ‘gay-free zone’.

In one incident, a sticker was found at Bow Church DLR station. The sticker is believed to have been placed at the station around 4pm on 12 February.

The stickers, approximately 2 inches x 4 inches, have also been found in the Poplar, Canary Wharf, Whitechapel and Brick Lane areas.

BTP Detective Constable Elaine Sexton, of the Public Protection Unit, said: “We are working together with the Metropolitan Police, and have been conducting local enquiries across east London in a bid to identify those responsible for these stickers.

“These stickers are offensive and we are keen to identify the man in the images as we believe he has information which may assist the investigation.”

Superintendent Mark Wolski, from Tower Hamlets Police, said: “These stickers are divisive in nature and so we would encourage anyone with information to contact our colleagues at BTP to help identify the perpetrators.”

Anyone who recognises the man in the image or who has any information which may assist the investigation is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, quoting background log number B13/LUA of 29/03/2011. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Related: Stickers declare ‘gay-free zone’ in Hackney

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