News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

This is the moment an angry confrontation broke out in a mosque between police and Muslim worshippers after officers walked in wearing their SHOES.

Police say they were called to assist with an altercation inside the High Wycombe place of worship - but found themselves getting the brunt from both sides when they failed to take off their footwear before walking in.

Mobile phone footage shot by an angry worshipper begins with the police officers already inside the Townfield Mosque and walking among the two groups in disagreement.

The video shows the males and female police walking through the Mosque with their shoes on - which goes against Islamic practice of removing footwear in their holy building.

People can then be heard shouting angrily at the officers for not taking off their shoes.

The police man in charge tries to argue that they were called to deal with a situation - but nobody seems to want to listen.

(Image: Facebook)

People seem more concerned about the fact the cops are wearing shoes - and keep screaming to them to get out.

Taking shoes off before entering a place of worship is common in many religions. In the Islamic tradition footwear is removed before entering a mosque to prevent dirt getting inside, and the practice is linked to the ritual of cleanliness worshippers go through before prayer.

At one point a police officer can be seen radioing in to HQ that people are being "aggressive".

One officer starts to explain to the man filming that they have been called to an incident at the Mosque, and says they were 'invited in', but he is furiously interrupted with complaints about his footwear.

The Muslim worshippers can be heard saying 'get them out' and appearing to round on the police officers.

(Image: Facebook)

The man filming follows one officer and tells the viewers: "This man thinks he's a bad man."

He later asks why men are speaking with a female officer and shouts: "Who is she?"

It is understood the speaker intervenes and asks everyone to go outside.

An announcement over a tannoy asks people to leave and references the police arriving with their shoes on.

Speaking about the incident, Zafar Iqbal, former chairman of the Wycombe Islamic Mission, told the Bucks Free Press : "There was a lot of shouting but there was no need to call the police.

"When they arrived there were around 400 to 500 people here for prayers so the whole road had to be closed."

Thames Valley Police sent six cars with officers to the Townfield Mosque, in Totteridge Road, at about 1.40pm on Friday.

A Thames Valley spokesman said: "Officers attended the scene and spoke to people in attendance at the mosque. No arrests have been made, and officers are carrying out an investigation into the incident."

The video of the incident was shared on Spotted Bradford 1, on Facebook and has been viewed more than 134,000 times.

MirrorOnline has tried to contact the Mosque for comment.