Police have launched a race hate investigation after the broadcast of an announcement in a Walmart store ordering black people to get out.

The intercom announcement was made by a man in Walmart’s Washington Township store in New Jersey who said: “Attention Walmart customers – all black people leave the store now”.

Walmart apologised for the “unacceptable” incident, for which a racist employee could be responsible, the Daily Mail reported. The retailer is reviewing security tapes in a bid to identify the culprit.

The announcement sparked outrage among shoppers. One said: “I can’t believe it in this day and age. Walmart needs to be more responsible.”