Police are investigating after ‘deplorable’ stickers bearing white supremacist messages were posted across Ipswich over the weekend.

Ipswich Star: The stickers have been spotted on lampposts, on bus shelters amongst other places Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNThe stickers have been spotted on lampposts, on bus shelters amongst other places Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

The stickers have reportedly been spotted across the town over the weekend on lampposts and bus shelters.

This newspaper decided against publishing the full content of the stickers due to their extremely racist content but most of the messages referred to white privilege.

Some of the stickers have been spotted in and around Nacton Road, close to Ipswich Academy.

"You usually see stickers to do with football, but this was quite shocking really," said one Ipswich resident.

Ipswich Star: Residents have hit back at the racist stickers Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNResidents have hit back at the racist stickers Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

"You do expect it in other larger places, but not Ipswich.

"The fact they have targeted the school route is vile."

Ipswich Borough Council have been seen to be taking the stickers down across the weekend but its not clear how many remain.

Ipswich Borough Council deputy leader, Bryony Rudkin, said: "This is deplorable.

Ipswich Star: Racist stickers have been placed around the Nacton Road and Maryon Road area of Ipswich Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNRacist stickers have been placed around the Nacton Road and Maryon Road area of Ipswich Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

"This racist behaviour does not represent the people of Ipswich or our town.

"Council staff have been out over the weekend taking these stickers down. If anyone sees any more they can contact us via the Cleaner Ipswich Hotline 01473 433000 or through My Ipswich."

A spokesman for Suffolk police said that it was aware of the stickers and was working with the Borough Council to have them removed.

Phanuel Mutumburi, business & operations director for Ipswich & Suffolk Council for Racial Equality, ISCRE, said: "Ipswich is a strong town because of its diversity and the acceptance and tolerance that different parts of our community show for each other.

"That said, there will always be a small handful of troublemakers who resent what Suffolk's county town has achieved and will continue to achieve. We're pleased that Ipswich Borough Council has moved swiftly to remove the stickers and to members of the public for informing them and the police of their existence in the first place. We would urge all concerned citizens to report such incidents should they happen again."

Ipswich is not the first area to report the stickers, with similar messages having been seen in Hull and York in recent weeks.

However one Ipswich resident, Sam Murray, has taken her own action against the stickers by writing kinder messages over the top.

"I heard about these horrific stickers being put out so I decided to come out with a Sharpie and edit them slightly," she said.