Latest: Counter-terror police investigating after five mosques have windows smashed
An investigation involving counter-terrorism officers has been launched after five mosques were vandalised in an “abhorrent, despicable act”.
Officers were called early on Thursday morning after four mosques in Birmingham had their windows broken with a sledgehammer overnight.
West Midlands Police said they received reports of an attack on a mosque in Birchfield Road at 2.32am.
Officers then attended a second mosque attack in Slade Road, Erdington, at 3.14am.
The force said forensic officers are working to identify evidence and CCTV is being examined.
The attacks are being treated as linked and West Midlands Police and West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit are yet to establish a motive.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid tweeted: “Deeply concerning & distressing to see number of mosques have been vandalised in Birmingham overnight.
“@WMPolice are investigating motive but let me be clear – hateful behaviour has absolutely no place in our society & will never be accepted.”
Outside the mosque on Albert Road on Thursday, Deputy Chief Constable Louisa Rolfe said: “This is an abhorrent, despicable act that is clearly designed to create fear in our communities who are actually cherished in Birmingham.
“My message to them would be, come on, hand yourself in, what a cowardly thing to do and if you have extreme views and things you want to say, come and speak to police about it.”
West Midlands Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson said: “Since the tragic events in Christchurch, New Zealand, officers and staff from West Midlands Police have been working closely with our faith partners across the region to offer reassurance and support at mosques, churches and places of prayer.
“At the moment we don’t know the motive for last night’s attacks.
“What I can say is that the force and the counter terrorism unit are working side by side to find whoever is responsible.”
Mr Thompson added: “At difficult times like this, it is incredibly important that everyone unites against those who seek to create discord, uncertainty and fear in our communities.”
Windows smashed at fifth Birmingham mosque
UK Police are investigating reports of vandalism at a fifth mosque in Birmingham after pictures were circulated on social media of smashed windows at the Mosque and Muslim Community Centre Aston.
An investigation involving counter-terrorism officers was launched on Thursday morning after four mosques had their windows broken with a sledgehammer overnight.
Officers were called at 2.32am on Thursday after reports of an attack on a mosque in Birchfield Road in Birmingham, West Midlands Police said.
Officers also attended a second mosque attack in Slade Road, Erdington, at 3.14am.
Patrols then started in areas with mosques and officers came across further damage in Witton Road, Aston, and on Broadway in Perry Barr.
#UPDATE | At 10.04am today police were called to a mosque on Albert Road following reports that a window had just been smashed. At this stage, it is being treated as linked to the earlier incidents: https://t.co/C6bR5TNQUL pic.twitter.com/FrbCiJ7Plq
— West Midlands Police (@WMPolice) March 21, 2019
The force said forensic officers are working to identify evidence and CCTV is being examined.
Local councillors condemned the incidents on social media as “shocking” and disturbing”.
Labour councillor Jayne Francis tweeted: “Really disturbing to learn of Birmingham mosques being subject to attack. This city is built on tolerance and mutual respect – let’s not lose sight of that.”
And Birmingham City Council cabinet member Waseem Jaffar wrote: “Deeply shocking and concerning to learn about the attacks on Masjid’s (sic) in neighbouring Aston and Erdington neighbourhoods…
“We will not let a very small minority divide our neighbourhood, the city and society and will fight back against any hate and division with love, peace and harmony.”
My message following the attacks on Masjid’s in neighbouring Aston and Erdington neighbourhoods: pic.twitter.com/jyRaKZGLoj
— Waseem Zaffar MBE (@WaseemZaffar) March 21, 2019
Footage posted online by councillor Majid Mahmood showed large holes in every ground-level window on the front of the Witton Road Islamic Centre in the north of the city.
Local community members in Islamic dress swept the broken glass from the pavement as the sun rose on Thursday.
Neighbourhood officers are working closely with mosques around the West Midlands, police said.
The attacks are being treated as linked and West Midlands Police and West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit are yet to establish a motive.
At difficult times like this, it is incredibly important that everyone unites against those who seek to create discord, uncertainty and fear in our communities
West Midlands Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson said: “Since the tragic events in Christchurch, New Zealand, officers and staff from West Midlands Police have been working closely with our faith partners across the region to offer reassurance and support at mosques, churches and places of prayer.
“At the moment we don’t know the motive for last night’s attacks.
“What I can say is that the force and the Counter Terrorism Unit are working side by side to find whoever is responsible.”
Mr Thompson added: “At difficult times like this, it is incredibly important that everyone unites against those who seek to create discord, uncertainty and fear in our communities.”
The force has asked anyone with information to come forward.
Investigation launched after four Birmingham mosques have windows smashed
An investigation involving counter-terrorism officers has been launched after four mosques had their windows smashed with a sledgehammer overnight.
Officers were called at 2.32am on Thursday after reports of an attack on a mosque on Birchfield Road in Birmingham in the UK, West Midlands Police said.
Police were then called to a second mosque attack on Slade Road in Erdington at 3.14am.
Patrols were then started in areas with mosques and officers came across further damage on Witton Road, Aston, and on Broadway, Perry Barr.
The force said forensic officers are working to identify evidence and CCTV is being examined.
Neighbourhood officers are working closely with mosques around the West Midlands today, police added.
The attacks are being treated as linked and West Midlands Police and West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit are yet to establish the motive.
West Midlands Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson said: "Since the tragic events in Christchurch, New Zealand, officers and staff from West Midlands Police have been working closely with our faith partners across the region to offer reassurance and support at mosques, churches and places of prayer.
"At the moment we don't know the motive for last night's attacks.
"What I can say is that the force and the Counter Terrorism Unit are working side-by-side to find whoever is responsible."
Mr Thompson added: "At difficult times like this, it is incredibly important that everyone unites against those who seek to create discord, uncertainty and fear in our communities."
The force have asked anyone with information to come forward.
