Cllr Thomas Hogg calls BNP Facebook posts as “inaccuarte, alarmist and highly irresponsible”.

THE DUP has appealed for calm after what it describes as “inaccurate and alarmist postings” on Facebook by the BNP of a man photographing children.

Newtownabbey councillor Thomas Hogg said the posts appeared on the BNP’s Northern Ireland Facebook page over the incident at the Kings Park area, off the Doagh Road.

The posts allege that a man had been arrested by the PSNI on Sunday, August 4 for taking photographs of a child at Kings Park playground.

Said Councillor Hogg: “A number of local parents contacted me to query the accuracy of these claims which appears on a social media website page belonging to the BNP.

“I immediately contacted the PSNI and spoke with local neighbourhood officers as well as officers from the Public Protection Unit (PPU) in Antrim regarding this incident.

“It was confirmed that PSNI officers had responded to a report of a man acting suspiciously and taking photographs of a child at Kings Park Playground.

“Upon investigation it transpired that the man was known to the child and their parent. No complaints were made and the PSNI are not pursing this matter.”

He added: “The inaccurate reporting of this incident on the British National Party (NI) Facebook page is alarmist and highly irresponsible.

“Considerable anxiety and worry has been created in the area on the basis of these claims and I think this should be a warning to everyone of the danger of Facebook gossip.

“I have called on the local PSNI to issue a statement that will clarify the situation and give reassurance to local residents.”