CONCERN has been expressed after ‘racist’ stickers were found on residential streets.

The stickers have appeared on posts over recent weeks in Brampton and Lanercost, with further incidents reported on lamp posts in Hallbankgate.

The ones in Brampton were seen on Tree Road with the slogans "Racist is just a word used to control you" and "Love your nation".

An unconfirmed report said that one in Hallbankgate says "stop white guilt".

It is unknown who put them up or if it was in response to recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the country and in Carlisle during June.

Cumbria Constabulary have however appealed for information about the incidents.

They were mentioned at a recent 'virtual' online meeting of Brampton Parish Council on June 30 where councillors expressed concern about them."

Councillor Ian Rodley bought up the subject after seeing them.

Speaking after the meeting he said: "They were opposite where I live and I saw them when I was walking my dog down a jennel.

"I saw them a few days before the meeting.

"It would be interesting to know if its indicative of a wider problem, if these have been discovered elsewhere in the area.

"I don't think they are massively offensive but perhaps they are polarising and maybe not inclusive.

"It does appear to be a one-off but someone has gone to the effort to have them printed and then put them in public places."

Residents have taken to social media to complain about the stickers.

One said: "Presumably racists."

Another said: "This making anyone else want to hold a peaceful Black Lives Matter rally in Brampton?"

On June 13 hundreds of people gathered in Carlisle city centre to take part in a Black Lives Matter demonstration, which mirrored dozens across the country after the death of George Floyd on May 25 when he was being arrested in Minneapolis, United States.

Last month Councillor Patricia Bell, a Cumbria County Council cabinet member said the movement would inform efforts to tackle inequality and racism in the county.

Speaking at a virtual meeting of the council’s cabinet on June 11 she said the authority must play its part: “The issues raised by Black Lives Matter give added impetus to us as a council to press ahead with our equality agenda.”

Speaking about the recent incidents, Sergeant Adrian Dobson, from Cumbria Constabulary, said: “We are aware of concerns over a number of stickers being placed in the Brampton area in recent weeks.

"We ask anyone with any information about these to contact us on 101.”