Birmingham Mosque Attacks 'Not Terror-Related', Police Say

A man was detained under the Mental Health Act after five mosques had their windows smashed.
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A series of attacks on Birmingham mosques last week were “not motivated by right-wing extremism”, police investigating the matter said.

Officers are not treating the attacks as terror-related, after a 34-year-old man from the Perry Barr area of the city handed himself into a police station last Friday.

He is being detained under the Mental Health Act, West Midlands Police said.

It follows six attacks launched on mosques throughout the city last week. Five mosques had their windows smashed in the early hours of Thursday, while a sixth was attacked on Saturday.

Police say Saturday’s incident is not being linked to the attacks earlier in the week and a separate investigation has been launched.

PA Images

They came less than a week after a far-right extremist launched a terror attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, murdering 50 people.

West Midlands police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the attacks. The force last week released CCTV showing a man smashing a window at the Faizul Islam mosque in Aston.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Ward said: “We continue to work in partnership with mosques and local communities around the West Midlands.

“There will be a visible police presence at key locations to offer reassurance to our communities and we continue to offer any assistance in providing security advice.”

This is an important update.

West Midlands Police is not seeking anyone else in relation to the attacks, we are satisfied they were not motivated by right wing extremism and are not being treated as terror-related.

Read more here. We continue to work with the local community. https://t.co/Mwz01TBcry

— Dave Thompson (@DaveThompsonCC) March 25, 2019

The force said in a statement: “The recent mosque attacks in Birmingham have understandably caused concern among our communities, particularly following the tragic events in Christchurch.

“Those with concerns are urged to speak to officers directly or get in contact with their local neighbourhood teams,” it added.

Those with information they would like to share with the police should call 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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