UK terrorism officers probe Birmingham mosque attacks

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Web Desk
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Police said it was yet to establish the motive behind the attack. Photo: File

As many as five mosques in Birmingham were targeted in a series of violent attacks in the wee hours of Thursday.

Police said that it received reports of a man smashing windows with a sledgehammer on Birchfield Road at 02:30 GMT. Officers were then alerted to a similar attack in Erdington about 45 minutes later, with more in Aston and Perry Barr reported. Another on Albert Road was struck at 10:00 GMT.

Police said it was yet to establish a motive.

Officers from its Counter Terrorism Unit were investigating, the force said.

"My initial reaction was shock that this had happened.There's a fear factor now in that adults are saying they're going to keep their children away from the mosque today because they're worried that it's not safe,” Chairman of Masjid Faizul Islam mosque in Aston, Yousef Zaman said.

"But we're not going to stop worship, we're going to carry on as normal, we won't let them win, we will defy them."

He said a summit was planned to discuss security around the mosques.

Councillor Majid Mahmood tweeted a video of the clean-up taking place at the centre.

Councillor John Cotton, cabinet member for social inclusion, community safety and equalities with Birmingham City Council, said he was "appalled" by the violence and was working with police to find those responsible.

He tweeted: "These thugs do not speak for Birmingham and will not divide us."

Chief Constable of West Midlands Police Dave Thompson said: "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."

A statement from the Birmingham Council of Mosques said: "We were deeply horrified to hear a number of mosques were vandalised during the early hours of this morning.

"Birmingham's mosques are a place of worship, serenity and a source of peace and tranquillity. We are appalled by such acts of hate/terror."

Home Secretary Sajid Javid called the vandalism "deeply concerning and distressing", while MP for Birmingham Ladywood Shabana Mahmood said the attacks were "truly terrible".

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.