Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has urged those flying racist, white supremacist symbols in East Belfast to remove them immediately.
On the appearance of the Confederate Flags in the Island Street area, Alliance representatives wrote to the PSNI urging them to consider if the erection of the symbols could be viewed as a racist hate crime, resulting in a breach of the peace.
He added: “Alliance has received a number of complaints around the display of these flags and have reported their presence to the PSNI.
“It is extremely disappointing to see flags closely linked with historical slavery and racist tension displayed in East Belfast. We do not want to see these flags legitimise intolerant views, or give rise to these attitudes in our community.
“I would hope they could be removed as soon as possible.”