REPLACEMENT Netanya signs have been ordered and will be installed soon, BCP Council has confirmed.

Signs twinning the town with the Israeli city of Netanya were removed at some point last week from the Welcome to Bournemouth boards. 

They have been removed from Mountbatten Roundabout, Ringwood Road near Bournemouth tip, Magna Road, New Road and on the A338 from Westbourne. 

But a BCP Council spokesman has now told the Echo: “Bournemouth remains twinned with Netanya.

“We have ordered replacement signs and will install them as soon as possible.”

He added: “We have been made aware that some signage has been removed at Mountbatten roundabout and several other locations. The matter has been referred to the police.

“BCP Council has not removed these signs."

Dorset Police, meanwhile, has confirmed it is investigating whether any offences have been committed.

A spokeswoman said: “We have been made aware that a number of signs around Bournemouth have been removed and we are liaising with BCP Council to establish the circumstances and identify whether any offences have been committed.”

Bournemouth Echo: Welcome to Bournemouth sign on Mountbatten Roundabout

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood said: “Deeply saddened to see signs for Bournemouth's twin city in Israel removed from a number of ‘Welcome to Bournemouth’ posts. 

“It’s difficult not to assume this unauthorised removal is connected with current Middle East events. 

“I hope the council replaces the ‘Netanya’ signs as soon as possible. 

“The deep bond between our two seaside towns is strong and will not be affected by what seems an act of anti-Semitic vandalism.”  

Read more: Signs for Bournemouth's twin city in Israel removed

Bournemouth‘s Jewish mayor Anne Filer said she is “very upset and disappointed” to hear the signs have been taken down. 

She added: “I hope that the police investigation finds them soon and gets them back to where they should be.”  

Michel Filer, chairman of the twinning committee, added: “It could possibly be nothing, no problem whatsoever, that somebody is doing some kind of repair work or the other kind.   

“But there could be unpleasant intent... we would like to get them back.  

“Bournemouth has been twinned with Netanya, who went through the Bournemouth Council some 20 years ago, and there has been inter-town visits on a frequent basis.   

“I look forward to them being put back again and carrying on with normal procedures.”  

Bournemouth remains twinned with Netanya and has been since 1995.

Netanya is a Mediterranean resort city in central Israel and, like Bournemouth, is known for its sandy beaches.