Camden police have slammed a stunt where two pig heads and an Australian flag were found on stakes at the site of the proposed Islamic school on Cawdor Road.
"We support the people's right to protest however this type of protest is abhorrent, disgusting and does nothing to assist the argument over the school site," crime manager Detective Inspector Paul Albury said.
About 6am this morning upset passing motorists alerted police to the two pig heads that were visible from the road.
"Police attended a short time later and located two pigs' heads that were stuck on two star pickets with an Australian flag draped between the star pickets," Detective Inspector Albury said.
Police have removed the heads, flag and a cross that had been left on the site in early November.
This afternoon, police interviewed a 47-year-old man, but he has been released without charge.
"We have been carrying out investigations all day in to who is responsible.
"The pig was a domestic pig that was less than 12 months old and approximately 40 kilos, and we believe the heads had been obtained from a butcher in the area.
"We have canvassed abattoirs and butchers in the region and we have received information from a member of the public nominating a person who they allege is responsible.
"Later in the morning we received information from a number of members of the public that a person was using the CB radio band and was transmitting anti-Islamic messages and claiming responsibility for the pigs' heads being placed onto the site."
Police said they were aware of the call sign of that person.
Police are calling for information about the person or people responsible for both leaving the pigs' heads on the site and spreading anti-Islamic messages on the radio.
"Racially motivated protests and propaganda have a much wider effect on the general community and can lead to people coming to the area looking for trouble and innocent people being hurt," Detective Inspector Albury said.
"We appeal to members of the public to maintain a level head and think of the wider ramifications when contemplating this type of behaviour."
Camden Mayor Chris Patterson said the council condemned the stunt, saying there was no place for actions like that in this community.
"This does not reflect the Camden community," he said.
"This is one of two individuals that may not even be from the community that have clearly taken action that has no benefit to the process or the community whatsoever.
"There is a [decision-making] process that must be adhered to. I would encourage the community: please let's keep to the process."
NSW Premier Morris Iemma also expressed his disgust at the pig heads stunt.
"I find that bizarre and disgraceful," he said.
"There are many ways to make a protest, a legitimate and peaceful protest to make your point.
“These sorts of bizarre and frankly quite distasteful and disgraceful acts really ought to be dismissed."
Anyone with information is urged to contact Camden Police on 4655 0599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. All information will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
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