A man with a sledgehammer allegedly vandalised at least four mosques in Birmingham early on Thursday morning, BBC reported.
Police said they had received reports of a man “smashing windows with the tool” on Birchfield Road at 2:30am, according to BBC. Approximately 45 minutes after the first report, police officers were informed of a similar incident taking place on Slade Road, Erdington.
West Midlands Police said the incidents were being linked to attacks on mosques in Birmingham’s Aston and Perry Bar areas, the report said.
The Birmingham Council of Mosques said that at least five mosques had been damaged. “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,” the council’s statement quoted by BBC said.
Police have yet to ascertain the motive of the suspect. The Counter-Terrorism Unit is investigating the incident.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid said it was “deeply concerning and distressing to see a number of mosques have been vandalised in Birmingham overnight”.
Police are investigating the motive behind the attacks, he stated. “Let me be clear, hateful behaviour has absolutely no place in our society and will never be accepted.”
