One of two men arrested over incidents reported at five mosques in the city released

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

One man is in custody after police made two arrests over attacks on five mosques in Birmingham, police have said.

The investigation, involving counter-terrorism officers, began in the early hours of Thursday morning after four of the mosques had their windows broken with a sledgehammer overnight. Police initially arrested the two men, but later released one and said he would face no further action.

West Midlands police said a 34-year-old man handed himself in and was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage. He is in custody. The man they released is a 38-year-old who had been arrested on suspicion of the same offence after being detained by members of the community.

Officers received reports of vandalism at al-Habib Trust shortly after at 2.30am and then attended a second attack at the Ghousia mosque just after 3am.

Patrols then started in other areas and police came across further damage to Witton Islamic Centre and Masjid Madrassa Faizal Islam. At about 10am, officers responded to a smashed window at Jamia mosque after pictures were circulated on social media.

The attacks are being treated as linked but West Midlands police and the West Midlands counter-terrorism unit are yet to conclusively establish a motive.

Police said increased patrols would continue at key locations to reassure communities, and security advice was being provided to religious establishments across the West Midlands.

Outside the Jamia mosque on Thursday, deputy chief constable Louisa Rolfe described the attacks as “an abhorrent, despicable act that is clearly designed to create fear in our communities who are actually cherished in Birmingham”.

Assistant chief constable Matt Ward said: “The investigation continues at pace and our focus is to determine the motive for the incidents. We are working extremely closely with mosques and local communities around the West Midlands and this will continue.

“It remains incredibly important that we unite together against those who seek to create discord, uncertainty and fear.”