Armed police deployed after attacks on Muslim places of worship in Small Heath area

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Armed police have been deployed after catapult attacks on two Birmingham mosques.

Officers were called to the Masjid Qamarul Islam mosque on Fosbrooke Road, Small Heath, at about 10pm on Wednesday and the Al-hijrah mosque on Hob Moor Road 20 minutes later.

West Midlands police said the motive for the attacks was unclear.

Both mosques were hit by catapult ball bearings which smashed windows during evening prayers. The force said the bearings were thought to be from a heavy duty catapult.

Police said firearms officers were deployed as a precaution, and that patrols of the area were continuing to reassure worshippers and local residents.

The incidents came days after 29-year-old Salih Khater, from the city, was arrested when a silver Ford Fiesta crashed into a security barrier in Westminster, London, after it hit cyclists and pedestrians.

Nassar Mahmood, a trustee of Birmingham Central mosque, said Muslims were facing unprecedented levels of Islamophobia.

Speaking after the incident in Westminster on Tuesday, he said attacks had particularly affected women because they were “quite visible” due to the dress they wore.

Urging the media not to speculate on any motive for the Westminster incident, Mahmood said: “We would ask you to be cautious of apportioning blame to the Muslim community. We are shocked and saddened by this just the same as everybody else.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101.